Administrative Office of Courts
Commission on Children’s Justice public hearing is Oct. 18 in Jackson The Mississippi Commission on Children’s Justice will conduct a public hearing Oct. 18 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Gartin Justice Building, 450 High Street in Jackson. The Commission is holding public hearings to gather information regarding the protection and education of children under the jurisdiction of Youth Courts. The hearing is the fourth and final hearing to be held by the Commission as it gathers information to formulate recommendations to the Supreme Court. Hearings were held last year in Jackson and Oxford, and in Hattiesburg in April 2012. Mississippi Supreme Court Justice Randy G. Pierce of Leakesville, Commission co-chair, will give opening remarks. The program of invited speakers includes:
Chief Justice Bill Waller Jr. appointed the Commission to study the administration of justice in Youth Court and provide suggested improvements. The 25-member Commission includes judges, school officials, legislators and representatives of the Attorney General, Department of Human Services, Department of Mental Health and Medicaid. The Mississippi Supreme Court created the Commission on Children’s Justice in April 2006. The Supreme Court reestablished the Commission in June 2010 to examine the structure and operation of the Youth Court system and interactions of the juvenile justice, child welfare and education systems. The Supreme Court directed the Commission to develop a statewide comprehensive approach to improving the administration of justice in Youth Courts in the area of child protection; coordinate the three branches of government in assessing the impact of government actions on children who are abused or neglected; and recommend changes to improve children’s safety, strengthen and support families, and promote public trust and confidence. #### |