IN THE COMMUNITY
Another Successful Summer S . M . I . L . E .
Summer continues to be a time for learning for high school students in Gwinnett County . The State Court of Gwinnett County recently completed its second annual S . M . I . L . E . Program on July 20 , 2017 , graduating approximately twenty five students . Participating high schools included South Gwinnett , Central Gwinnett , North Gwinnett , and Norcross High School .
The mentoring program allows students who are interested in law to participate in learning sessions held at the court house on Friday afternoons . Students learn about the justice system , the trial process , and the Constitution through encounters with lawyers and judges . Solicitor Rosanna Szabo provided lunch and a learning opportunity about domestic violence . State Senator P . K . Martin spent one afternoon giving students a primer on the legislative process and answered questions about how bills are introduced and how a citizen runs for political office . Attorney Rob Greenwald , a local defense attorney with decades of experience , gave students an inside view of the criminal justice system . A panel of local judges discussed their route from college to
the practice of the law and to the bench . Snellville police officer Sgt . Rain Nieddu discussed canine training and police encounters , and Claire Lisco of the Partnership Against Domestic Violence reviewed dating and violence . And Erik Provitt , a newly minted member of the Georgia Bar , discussed his decision to go to law school after a successful career in banking . Students toured the
courthouse and were given a tour of the Gwinnett Detention Center , even getting to meet those involved in the “ jail dog ” program for rescued dogs .
Four students from the 2016 inaugural program returned for the summer of 2017 , and these alumni were treated to a special educational experience . Each student received a copy of The Empty Nursery by Jaclyn “ Jackie ” White and was asked to read the book at the beginning of the summer . This book chronicles the criminal investigation of the case of Haley Hardwick , a toddler who was murdered in 1992 in Gwinnett County . A luncheon was held at which the students met with author Jackie White , a former police officer and Juvenile Court administrator ; District Attorney Danny Porter , who prosecuted the case ; and Superior Court Judge Ronnie Batchelor , who served as defense counsel for the man accused of her murder . Students were exposed to a review of a tragic criminal case , with varying perspectives given by the speakers .
Judges Pam South and Joe Iannazzone of Gwinnett County State Court hosted the program again this year , with extensive help from South Gwinnett High School teacher Rebecca Streetman , who serves as a Program Specialist for Law , Public Safety , Corrections , and Security ; and Lead Assistant Solicitor Dana Pagan of the Gwinnett Solicitor ’ s Office , who has served as a former Assistant Attorney General and teacher . Plans for the 2018 program will begin soon . ▪
22 August / September 2017