TCBA & Zone Academy March 2nd - Juvenile Justice Center Tour

Representatives from the TCBA and TU Law School continue to bring members of the community together to provide legal life skills to the teenagers from the Zone Academy. During these lessons, TU students partner with 3-5 students for group discussions and activities related to the lessons. This program gives students opportunities like mentorship time with an attorney and or law student; legal life skills so students will have a basic understanding of how to handle themselves should a situation arise; and important sharing of information from these students to their peers, parents, guardians and/or caregivers.

With help from Tulsa Police Department Sergeant Ashley Kite, Pierre Robertson of LASO led the lesson titled “Introduction to Criminal Law: Should it be a Crime?” on February 10. Zone students learned to identify and apply criteria for designating an action as a crime and evaluated the seriousness of various crimes. Groups developed, stated and defended a position on a controversial question which was impressive to see! The second lesson “Employment Rights and Responsibilities” was led by attorney member Whitney Dockrey and snacks were sponsored by Ascension St. John’s Foundation. ASJ HR Director also assisted in the lesson, which was held in the board room at Ascension. By taking the Zone students on short field trips to new places, it gives them real world experiences they might not otherwise get. On March 3rd, Tulsa Co. District Juvenile Court Case Manager Lizzie Riter sponsored snacks and assisted in a tour of the Juvenile Justice Center. Students were allowed in a courtroom and met with Judge Martha Carter. The following week included two juvenile law related lessons, the first lesson “Introduction to Juvenile Justice” led by Mari C. Riera, Assistant Public Defender for Tulsa County Juvenile Court with snacks sponsored by TCBA member Maureen Knudson. The students learned about due process rights for youths in the juvenile justice system and evaluated the fairness of the treatment of a juvenile during judicial proceedings. On the second day, Tulsa Lawyers for Children Executive Director, Timothy Michaels-Johnson, led the lesson “Child Abuse and Neglect” which includes identifying “mandated reporters” of child abuse, identifying community resources to help children dealing with abuse and neglect as well as understanding risk and protective factors.

The remainder of our schedule includes a tour of the Tulsa County Courthouse and meeting with Judge Sharon Holmes, two lessons on housing issues, a tour of GableGotwals and a financial literacy lesson. This semesters pilot program will conclude with an end of the year celebration on April 21st and we will begin planning for subsequent program offerings in Summer and/or Fall. If you are interested in assisting with the planning of further programs or participating, please email Tami Williams at tamiw@tulsabar.com.

Judge Martha Carter gave a tour of the center and one of the courtrooms. The Zone Academy kids met with and had a Q&A with attorneys who represent juveniles, parents and the state. A big thank you to Lizzie Riter for coordinating the tour and providing snacks.