Q: Does your office work with the area school districts for educational resources for students?
A: I have just finished meeting individually with all of the superintendents of schools in our district (the 7th Judicial Circuit), including St. Johns County Superintendent Tim Forson and School Board Chair Beverly Slough, about a new initiative to educate students and parents, prevent crime, and empower students to learn about what we do at the State Attorney’s Office for possible careers.
Q: With regards to education, what ideas do you have?
A: I’d like to make sure students understand the consequences of bad judgment and crime, to include threats of violence, bomb threats, hoaxes, gun violence, dating violence, and online bullying. We want students to know that if they engage in any of these activities, there’s a strong chance they will be tried as an adult — with adult consequences. As far as some of the threats, kids who do them often think, “I was just kidding,” but it is not a joke and we do charge students. We’re hopeful to get some kids into the courtroom to see real time sentencing proceedings as well as utilize video from court proceedings in the school curriculum. Employees from my office can also come and speak at PTO meetings to parents. All of this is in an effort to try to prevent kids from making bad decisions and hopefully prevent crime.
Q: From a more positive aspect, what ideas do you have to empower students on a career path?
A: Our office encompasses many different professions, from paralegals to law enforcement to attorneys. I’d like to set up externships for students interested in any of these career paths. We could have students who are interested in the law, for instance, attend trials to see what it’s like in the courtroom.
Q: What will happen next?
A: The next step is for a joint meeting with all of the school district superintendents and representatives and me. At that time, we can come up with a collaborative and comprehensive approach, as well as a name for the initiative. I think this is very timely and I’m very excited to see this through.
