In Gibson County, a proactive approach to educating youths about the law and their decisions is fully operational, led by none other than General Sessions Court Judge Bradley Owens. Starting early in his tenure, Owens made a crucial connection between the recurring poor choices of adult defendants and a lack of understanding about the gravity of legal consequences stemming from those choices. In response, he's orchestrated an educational initiative aimed directly at students from grades eight through 12, designed to provide them with a firsthand look at the judicial process and the severe repercussions that can result from unlawful actions.
The core of this initiative is a program Judge Owens calls "Choices & Consequences." Students are given the opportunity, not only to witness a live court session but also to engage in a debriefing with the judge shortly after. Owens aims to bridge the gap between actions and their legal consequences, to literally show these kids what happens when laws are broken. In an interview obtained by the Tennessee Courts website, Owens explained how he would use real cases as teachable moments, saying, "Now students this is what we're talking about. He had a DUI second. He was out on bond." He plunges into the depths of criminal acts to let students see the real-life consequences and to stimulate their curiosity about the legal system.
The program kicked off the same year as South Gibson County Middle School's Career Technical Education (CTE) program began. Naturally, Owens' courtroom turned into an educational site for the CTE students. Kimberly Malone's eighth-grade class was among the first to benefit from the Choices & Consequences program. "Being invited to visit the courtroom with Judge Owens was a perfect fit for eighth graders learning about careers," Malone said, as reported by the Tennessee Courts website. She emphasized that Owens connects with the students by sharing personal stories about his career and life choices, in addition to providing insights into potential careers in areas related to the law.
Among the array of subjects Owens tackles with the students, the dangers of drugs, alcohol, and social media take a prominent place, as well as the influence of peer pressure. Reflecting on the impact of such visits, Judge Owens hopes to prevent criminal behavior before it takes root, telling the Tennessee Courts website, "I toured the jail as a junior in Gibson County and I know it woke me up...hopefully if they see some of this maybe we can stop some of it."
The initiative is inclusive, open to students whether they attend public, private, or home schools. By investing in such an educational outreach, Judge Owens is employing his expertise and authority to possibly alter trajectories, to educate the youth early enough, hopefully to make a lasting difference in their understanding of the law and their role in the fabric of society.
