Judge Price speaks to local students
Published 9:18 am Monday, August 17, 2015
- WHAT’S EXPECTED: Warren County Judge Johnny Price met with students at Warren Central High School and Vicksburg High School Wednesday morning to warn them of actions that could land them in the court system.
Warren County Judge Johnny Price visited Vicksburg and Warren Central high schools Wednesday morning to let students in the county know what is expected of them.
In addition to welcoming high school students back for a new school year, Price explained the four standing orders that could land a student in the court system and how to avoid them.
“Hopefully everybody will have a good academic year, and I’m here to explain some things to you that ought to be self evident,” he said. “Some types of conduct are not going to be tolerated on any school campus in Vicksburg or Warren County.”
Price said there is a standing order for the resource officers, police and sheriffs that could lead to students getting into trouble.
“The first, which ought to be obvious, is no weapons on the school campus,” he said. “That includes knives, razors, guns, and that ought to be obvious.”
Price said the second category is narcotics.
“You don’t bring marijuana, you don’t bring prescription pills, or anything else like that on school campus,” he said. “By school campus I don’t only mean this facility. I mean football games, cheerleading practice, ROTC, extracurricular activities, school bus, cafeteria — you know you’re not supposed to do that.”
The third category Price identified was fighting.
“Fighting is not going to be tolerated,” he said. “Last year we had an incident where a couple of young guys got in a little scrap, and the next thing you know, there were several other guys jumping in and we had to have the police department out here.”
Price said the fourth category is a student who shows disrespect or aggression to any adult.
“Aggression or disrespect to your teachers, cafeteria ladies, bus drivers, football coaches or administrators will not be tolerated,” he said. “These people don’t have to tolerate you getting up in their face making rude comments, and for goodness sake, don’t ever touch one.”
Price said the reason he went to the schools is because he doesn’t want the students to end up in trouble.
“That’s why I’m taking time to explain in advance the consequences for those actions,” he said. “I don’t want to see you in youth court.”
Price said there is no doubt one or two will push the barriers and end up in youth court.
“When you do come to youth court, I’ll get to sit there and say, ‘Well, I told you so,’” he said. “The penalty will be doubly harsh.”
Price said students do not want to violate any of the four standing orders.
“The consequence is going to be swift, and it’s going to be harsh,” he said. “I don’t want to see any of you in trouble. Life is too short for that.”