MIAMI – The Miami-Dade County Teen Court (M-DCTC) sponsored by the Miami-Dade Economic Advocacy Trust (MDEAT) has held the first court hearing at the Black Police Precinct & Courthouse Museum since the 1960s.
The auspicious occasion included honorable South Florida judges who were acknowledged and presented with MDEAT Teen Court awards thanking them for their devoted service to the community.
Miami-Dade County Commissioners Audrey M. Edmonson, District 3, and Jean Monestime, District 2, greeted the audience and kicked off the program that took place on Feb. 25 as part of Black History Month.
The Hon. Joel H. Brown, chief judge of the 11th Judicial Circuit of Florida, graced the audience by stating a few words about Teen Court, and introduced the new Chief Circuit Judge Bertila Soto.
Captivating the audience’s attention following the awards presentation was the inaugural Teen Court hearing conducted at the Black Police Precinct and Courthouse Museum, for which the Hon. Judge Tanya Brinkley presided.
“I am always impressed with the exceptional skills, commitment, and overall talent that the teen attorneys possess,” said Brinkley, a Teen Court volunteer.
“Teen Court is an amazing opportunity for our youth to participate in legal proceedings in a manner which allows them to better understand the process, and the ultimate consequences of their actions. I am always humbled to be a part of Teen Court, and positively interact with our youth.”
John E. Dixon, Jr., MDEAT executive director, said he was “thrilled to be able to partner the Black Precinct and Courthouse Museum in order to promote the awareness of the museum in Overtown, and the outstanding job that the Miami-Dade County Teen Court Volunteers perform every week in court.”
For more information, visit miamidade.gov/economicadvocacytrust or contact Anthony D. Williams, Teen Court Youth Development Division Director, at 305-375-5661 or email awill1@miamidade.gov
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