This year’s Court in School ended with a bang when the last person of the day was a no-show and a bench warrant was put out for his arrest.
He should have been there for a probation violation from a minor-in-possession conviction and missing a court date. Instead, Judge Dana Fortinberry, 52-2 District Court, issued a warrant and set bail at $25,000.
‘I hope to deter students from this kind of activity,? Fortinberry said, ‘If I can prevent one student, then I’ve done my job.”
Judge Fortinberry set up court in Clarkston High School’s Performing Arts Center May 13. Rules were the same as at the courthouse: all must rise when she enters, no talking, no cell phones and no chewing gum.
Failure to abide by any one of her rules and she could issue a contempt of court citation.
The 20 cases through her courtroom were typical, she said: possession of marijuana, probation violation, driving on a suspended license.
Most defendants must pay fines and take random drug and alcohol tests. Some were sentenced to jail time for probation violations, usually 10-15 days.
After the session, Fortinberry took a few minutes to answer questions from students about law, what it means to plead ‘no contest,? and whether or not defendants get special consideration for agreeing to come to Court in School. They do not get special consideration, she said.
‘The students always have such bright, insightful questions,? she said.
This is her fifth year holding court in schools. She also goes to Lakeland High School in White Lake Township and Brandon High School in Brandon Township.
‘I love doing it. It’s a chance to interact with the students,? said Fortinberry.
‘I really believe in educating students about what happens in the real world,” said John Zittel, social studies teacher at CHS. “Letting them see actual court cases shows them what the law is really like. It also sends a message about what happens if you break the law.?