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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The volunteers and staff of the San Antonio Teen |
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Court provide an important civic service by taking part in a |
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juvenile justice program that benefits the residents of Bexar |
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County and also provides valuable experience for student |
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participants who fill the courtroom assignments; and |
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WHEREAS, Based on the principle of peers judging peers, Teen |
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Court hears cases involving defendants under the age of 18 who are |
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enrolled in school and are charged with first-time Class C |
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misdemeanor offenses; after arraignment by an adult judge, teens |
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act as judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, bailiffs, clerks, |
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and jurors to hear the case; and |
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WHEREAS, Judgment is handed down to a defendant in the form of |
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community service, and successful completion of that service |
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results in the dismissal of the case; and |
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WHEREAS, Participants receive training, which includes |
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workshops, mock trials, and mentoring from adult judges, attorneys, |
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and community leaders, as well as continuing education classes; and |
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WHEREAS, Since the program's start in 2002, over 400 trials |
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have been conducted and more than 200 teens have participated; |
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under the outstanding leadership of coordinator Edinia E. Espinoza |
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and presiding judge Alfredo M. Tavera, the program currently has a |
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roster of 135 members; and |
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WHEREAS, By aiding the administration of juvenile justice and |
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providing young Texans with first-hand experience in the legal |
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system, the San Antonio Teen Court helps prepare youths for the |
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future, and in so doing, contributes immeasurably to the well-being |
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of the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize all involved with the San Antonio Teen |
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Court and commend them for their dedicated service to the |
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community; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the Teen Court as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |
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Gutierrez |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 1560 was adopted by the House on April |
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24, 2009, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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