BY LAURA COLVIN
Clarkston News Staff Writer
Several hundred students watched as a young man on stage in the Clarkston High School’s auditorium tried to explain his way out of a jam.
But it was no play, and the young man was no actor.
It was real life, and after a failed attempt to explain why he had again violated his probation, the young man found himself headed to a real jail.
It was just one of about 20 cases heard at CHS when Judge Dana Fortinberry and the 52-2 District Court sponsored ‘Court in School Day? Tuesday, May 1.
Twice a year, Fortinberry sets up her courtroom on the stage in the school’s Performing Arts Center and conducts court as usual.
Fortinberry said she doesn’t pick and choose cases for the Court in ‘School Day,? nor does she award special consideration or leniency to defendants appearing in front of students.
‘We bring whatever is on the docket for that day,? she said, explaining that those required to appear at the high school do receive special notice ahead of time. ‘They’re court ordered to be here.?
Exceptions are made only in special circumstances, she said. A current or former CHS student, for example, would be rescheduled for a regular court appearance.
In addition to CHS, Fortinberry also holds court at Brandon High School in Brandon Township and Lakeland High School in White Lake Township.
‘We’ve had a lot of really positive feedback from kids and parents both,? she said. ‘It lets students see the consequences of their actions before they put themselves in a situation where they’re standing in front of me as a defendant.?
Fortinberry said the cases heard at CHS Monday were reflective of the court’s typical docket: driving while license suspended, driving while intoxicated, minor in possession, along with occasional cases of domestic violence or retail fraud.
‘I’m always surprised at how much the defendants get out of it,? said Fortinberry. ‘They enjoy sharing their experiences with the students, and having the opportunity to help someone else avoid making the same mistakes.?
And, she said, the message seems to have a stronger voice that way.
‘It’s much more effective when students learn from their peers,? Fortinberry said. ‘It works much better than to have me preaching at them.?
The young man who was sent back to Oakland County Jail, for example, asked the judge if he could show students an alcohol tether he is required to wear around his ankle at all times.
Fortinberry agreed, and the young man raised the cuff of his jeans while she explained how the device works.
The tether, she said, constantly measures the amount of alcohol in a person’s body through the skin.
The small machine is very sensitive, and records all contact with products containing alcohol’even hairspray or mouthwash.
Fortunately, said Fortinberry, sophisticated readings from the device make it easy to distinguish between the consumption of alcohol and other causes.
Wearers must pay $375 a month for the device, but most do so gladly in exchange for jail time.
Right before the break, Fortinberry offered the audience an opportunity to ask questions.
One student asked about the legal blood alcohol limit for driving.
‘For you, for anyone under 21, it’s zero,? Fortinberry said, noting that anyone under the legal drinking age caught driving with a blood alcohol level of .01 or higher is considered intoxicated.
Most students felt the opportunity to watch court in session was time well spent.
‘I didn’t know just possession of alcohol was so serious,? said sophomore Randy Olson. ‘This was a quality experience, being exposed to the different court scenarios and how serious they take it.?
Others were able to dispel some myths, including those about suggesting that minors are immune to the law.
‘I saw that no matter what age you are, they really will crack down,? said sophomore John Schroeder. ‘You can watch and learn from other’s mistakes.?
It was also an overall learning experience for those unfamiliar with the normal process of the law.
‘It’s a good lesson,? said senior Ryan Bonk, ‘especially for people who don’t have a clue what the court system is all about.?