Attorney Damon R. Stevenson for Hinds County

Courthouse view on this rainy Friday. Stay safe this weekend friends!

As I finished court for the week, I would like to make a few observations from a judge’s viewpoint:

1) Under the law, most people are entitled to a reasonable bond. When a judge gives you a bond and you dont stay out of trouble, you literally throw away your family’s money. That’s not fair to your family.

2) If you have on GPS monitor, keep it charged or you will be returned to jail.

3) If you don’t come to court, a bench warrant will be issued for you and you will have to stay in jail until your case is resolved.

4) I’m sick of seeing 15,16, and 17 year olds charged with murder and violent offenses. A kid hanging out at 2 or 3 am is asking for trouble. Parents, please make your kid come home at a decent time.

5) Why does a teenager need a gun????

6) Lastly, as a community we have to teach young men to make better choices. Too many of our young men are throwing their lives away by making careless decisions.

Freedom is priceless. One bad decision can put you in a prison cell for life.

Too often when high school students find themselves in a courtroom they are there for the wrong reason, that’s why I was excited to allow our courtroom to be used for high school mock trial competitions on Friday. There are some amazing young people in our communities doing great things, lets give them the support they need to be successful.