CULLMAN, Ala. – Area juniors visited Cullman County District Court this month as part of the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce’s Youth Leadership Cullman County program.
Cullman County District Judge Chad Floyd said most local schools sent at least two students, and his daughter was among the students in the group from Cullman High School.
Of the Youth Leadership group and their activities this month, Floyd said, “They meet monthly and spend the entire day developing the leadership skills of those young participants. On that date, they went first thing and met with (Cullman) Mayor (Woody) Jacobs and (City) Clerk Wes Moore at the City of Cullman. They then went to the Cullman (Regional) Airport and met with (Director) Ben Harrison. Then, they came to the courthouse and met with employees of the Cullman County Commission, specifically County Administrator John Bullard. Finally, they ended their day in the District Courtroom.”
He said he drafted a script so the students could experience a mock hearing.
“The script created a situation where a defendant had been charged with a crime and released on bond,” Floyd said. “While released on bond, the defendant allegedly violated the terms and conditions of his release, and the Court had to decide whether to revoke or modify his terms of release. I think it was a great experience for the children who got to attend the hearing.”
Cullman County District Attorney Champ Crocker was kind enough to join and “prosecute” the defendant, he shared.
“Attorney Michael Thornton provided a defense for the accused,” Floyd said. “The defendant was played by Assistant District Attorney Mike Burleson. The victim was played by Community Corrections Director Cynthia Dodson. In addition to hearing from me, the children got to hear from District Attorney Champ Crocker, Defense Attorney Michael Thornton and Community Corrections Officer Craig Jackson. The children asked great questions after the hearing to each of the presenters.”
Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce President Joey Orr said of Youth Leadership Cullman County, “Each month these students go on different field trips and hear from various speakers as they learn about the businesses and agencies that work together to make up this great county. It is an eight-month program made up of selected juniors from all across Cullman County.”
Get more information about the program at www.cullmanchamber.org/programs.
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