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THE CHAMPION, THURSDAY, MARCH 28 - APRIL 3, 2024 • PAGE 3
Class to teach citizens about
the court system returns
BY CHRISTINE FONVILLE
CHRISTINE@DEKALBCHAMP.COM
A local judge is offering
a free course to DeKalb
County residents who are
interested in an overview of
how the court system works
in Georgia.
DeKalb County's Chief
Magistrate Judge Berryl
A. Anderson recently an
nounced the return of The
People's Law School Spring
Semester, a free day-long
class with a special emphasis
on DeKalb Magistrate Court,
stated officials. The curricu
lum will include instruction
on civil, criminal, ordinance,
and mental health court
matters, according to offi
cials.
The program was start
ed in 2018 to give citizens
an inside look at how the
court system works, as well
as clear up any questions
or misinformation, said of
ficials.
"I know that what goes
DeKalb County’s Chief Magistrate
Judge Berryl A. Anderson recently
announced the return of The
People’s Law School. File photo
on in the courthouse may
sometimes seem intimidat
ing and a bit of a mystery,"
said Anderson. "When I
speak to citizens in our com
munity, I am always asked
about what Magistrate
Court really does. Magistrate
Court is the people's court,
and as chief judge, it was
important for me to develop
a program for citizens to de
mystify the court."
Officials said some of
the highlights of this year's
class will include a keynote
speaker and a graduation
ceremony where partici
pants will receive a certifi
cate of completion.
The course will be held
on April 27 from 8:30 a.m. to
5 p.m. at the DeKalb County
Courthouse, 556 N. Mc
Donough St. in Decatur.
The People's Law School
is now accepting applica
tions for its spring semester.
The application is available
to all DeKalb County res
idents who are 18 years
and older. The deadline to
apply is April 1 and space is
limited. Submitting an appli
cation does not guarantee
acceptance, stated officials.
For more information
and to fill out an application,
visit https://dekalbcounty-
magistratecourt.com/.
Police to host free
academy for DeKalb teens
BY CHRISTINE FONVILLE
CHRISTINE@DEKALBCHAMP.COM
An event during which youth are invited to learn the ins
and outs of the DeKalb County Police Department is coming
in April.
The DeKalb County Police Department will host the 2024
Youth Academy on April 6 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at police
headquarters, located at 1960 West Exchange Place in Tucker.
Those between the ages of 13 to 17 who are DeKalb
County residents are invited to attend the youth academy for
free, said officials.
"This is an opportunity for DeKalb County teens to learn
how the police department works," stated officials. "During
the one-day, in-person program, students will be given an
overview of the department's various units and departments.
These include K9, SWAT, criminal investigations, crime scene,
and others. Participants will also learn what to do when they
encounter the police."
According to research conducted by the International As
sociation of Chiefs of Police, "communications between youth
and police officers tend to occur when a negative event is
taking place in the community. These experiences can set the
tone for a young person's relationship with police throughout
his or her life." Therefore, it is important for police to "take
the time to make formal and informal positive connections
early on to help build long-term, meaningful trust."
Events such as the youth academy can help to foster pos
itive relationships between police and the community, said
officials.
The 2024 DeKalb County Police Department Youth Acad
emy is a free event, and participants will receive lunch and a
SEE POLICE ON PAGE 7
DeKalb County
Commissioner
Steve Bradshaw
r DeKalb County
Commissioner
Lorraine Cochran-Johnson
DeKalb County
Commissioner
Larry Johnson
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