On Friday, Sept. 7, at 1pm, Assistant Principal, Carlos Quarles, opened an assembly in the deGraffenried auditorium that was called specifically for the Russellville Middle School students regarding attitudes and actions.  Principal Quarles introduced Det. Kenneth Edmonds with the Russellville Police Department, which in turn introduced Judge Ken Williams and School Resource Officer, Ryan Brown.  Discussions began regarding topics that were addressed by these gentlemen and their responsibilities.  Judge Williams read the student’s their rights and explained the ramifications of entering the juvenile court system.  Detention could be ordained for 30 days, and the adolescent can be called to a youthful offender hearing with the possibility of appearing before a Grand jury.  It only takes 1 or 2 times for a student to find themselves in front of Judge Williams.  He can give orders, detention, and even place student(s) under state setting.  Det. Edmonds then gathered multiple students to assist him in reading specific situations.  The students were Jaecie Kimbrough, Xavier Thompson, Patrick Sumrall, Brinley Mason, and Daisy Lewis.  Patrick Sumrall read the topic covering “harassment”, intentional intimidation, or alarming another person, verbal or physical threats, stalking, humiliation, embarrassment, and all acts of malicious intent.  Any of these behaviors could result in charges as a public offense misdemeanor.  Brinley Mason read the topic covering “sexual abuse” and “abuse of teacher”:  subjecting another person to sexual contact by forcible compulsion or who’s incapable of consent due to age or disability.  A misdemeanor is punishable by time in jail, and a felony could be 1-5 years in the state penitentiary.  Judge Williams stated he has seen children with felonies, and said two are already facing grand juries.  He warned that once a student enters his court, it’s too late to avoid facing charges.  He stated it’s unlawful for any person to direct speech or conduct toward a teacher, employee, or school administrator when such person knows that the behavior will disrupt or interfere with normal school activities or challenge the order and discipline of the school.  Judge Williams wanted to clear the technicalities of the correct interaction between student and teacher.  Xavier Thompson read the topic covering “video voyeurism”: the intentional use of any camera, videotape, or other image recording device for observing viewing, photographing, filming, or videotaping the private areas of a person without that person’s consent.  This includes posting or divulging any image taken.  This offense is a Class D felony.  Det. Edmonds stated your phone is under someone else’s contract.  Snapchat’s are said to last 2 days, but they can be retrieved 30 days later.  More topics were covered by the students until Detective Edmonds began a serious talk about bullying and intimidation.  Both are serious offenses and can lead to time in front of Judge Williams.  Once a student turns 18, juvenile records must go through the court to be expunged.  If you have a record, it defaults you to a disadvantage when applying for a job, loan, etc.  It’s something that can destroy a person’s entire future.  Juvenile detention center can be a jail cell with no separation from murderers, rapist, etc.  As a final wrap-up, Judge Williams stated he doesn’t want to see you in his court.  He said, “We all care about you as students, and we are concerned enough to make you aware.  We want you to have a successful life, career, and want the best for you.”  Students were encouraged to do right and do better to prevent entering the system!  Judge Williams offered to give students a tour of the courthouse and jail.  He stated he would be glad to come see students here at the school or at a ballgame, but he hopes to never see them in court.  Det. Edmonds stated he sees kids’ lives ruined every day for petty crimes like auto theft, robbery with weapons, attempted murder, methamphetamines, burglary, attempted rape, and abuse.  He doesn’t believe that kids belong in the system.  These gentlemen shared they don’t want students to be in trouble, they want to provide an exit before going down the wrong road.  The overall purpose of the assembly was to remind the middle school students that severe consequences can follow careless behaviors.  Students can become tired of their teachers or just feel rebellious, but Asst. Principal Quarles, along with these other speakers want the students to be aware of the consequences that come from something that's avoidable.  The Police Department and RMS administration cares about its students and hopes that a positive change may come from this intervention. 

(Article written by Matthew Williams & Penni Nugent)