Hey! Nice of you guys to visit our blog :)
Well, I have to mention that going to the court makes be fell excited and yet a little nervous. i was excited as this is a rare opportunity for us to learn and experience what others may not. But at the same time, I was feelig a little nervous as I didn't know what to expect from the court. Will it be what I expect it to be - like on television dramas? - or will it be different.
Court Hearing
In court, we must always go through the security checkings in case we bring in any not permitted items that will bring danger to others (eg. knife, sizzors, etc.). I have to admit that the security measures were strictly enforced to ensure other's safety. Inside the court was generally quiet and not much noise was made. As me and my fellow teammates walked through the Juvenile Court, we saw many rooms for different purposes (eg. court session, family confrence, etc.) There are even waiting areas for people to rest and wait. Ms Audrey Lam was also there to guide us and facilitate the whole process to us.
After a period of time waiting, we can finally go into the court room to personally witness the court hearing. During the arrival of the Magistrate Wong, all must stand up and bow to the crest as a sign of respect. When everyone were ready, the juveniles were called in one by one for the hearing. Those that were on probation will be brought in from outside the room, but for those who were back on remand were brought in from the room in the court room itself. We had witnessed how fierce and scary Magistrate Wong can be!
The court handled tons of cases just on that day itself and many of the offenders are tennagers around the age of 14-15 years old. The Magistrate will ask questions in a serious tone just to understand more about the case through the juvenile, instead of just judging from the probation report, to make the most suitable decision to enable the juveniles to mend their ways. The offends made by the different juveniles include Theft, Canal Connection (Underage Sex), Molestation and Gang Fight.
After that, we got the chance to speak to Magistrate Wong herself to understand better about the court, the cases they handle, her decision to the cases, her attitude towards the juveniles, etc. But the most important part of all, we got to discuss a case, which we had studied the probation report, with her. It was also the case that we would be witnessing the sentencing after lunch.
When we came back from lunch for the sentencing, we felt quite excited as we had read the juvenile's probation report before. But this time round, as Magistrate Wong had to leave for a meeting, another took over her. After the sentencing, although we felt sorry for the juvenile to be placed in a Boy's Home, but we sincerely wish that he would mend his ways and do a part for the community.
Project - Website
After the whole court hearing process, we were expected to do up a website to spread the news to everyone out there about the information of what we saw, heard and know. So everyone started doing their parts and tried to contribute a little. And guess what? We only had 2 weeks to complete the whole website that's content-rich, enriching, attractive and original, that can defeat the other competing schools to win a prize for ourselves plus the glory for the school.
PGA Finale
Great, the day was finally here and all of us were in our smart outfits.
>Guys - School Shirt, School Badge, School Tie, School Long Pants, Leather Shoes and School BLAZER!
>Girls - School Blouse, School Badge, Schoole Tie, School Skirt, Court Shoes and School BLAZER!
Although Khishal and Claytons were the one presenting, but ALL of us were feeling equally nervous when we stood up there to present our website. Maybe it's because all the participting schools, principals/ vice-principals, panal of judges and Magistrate Wong were present. Including Mrs Ong! After the presentation, we felt relieved and hope for the very best.
In every competition will be wining and losing. But losing is the first step to winning. Furthermore, competition isn't everything, learning is, and we did learn a lot. But I have to mention that we will win the Most Enthusiastic-cum-screamy award. *Hahas*
Afterwords
It will make us feel relieved if people will to visit our website/blog to learn more about the court, etc. and not to make the offends. We would also want the offenders not to walk down the same route again as there would be many of us to help them. We hope to offer our help to those in need. We'll do our very best to carry out our part as a true Peer Advisor! We won't want to disappoint those that had pinned their hopes on us to do our part as what we are.
We would be linking up our website to the school's portal and will be holding different forms of advertisement to publicise the website/blog. Please leave a comment of what you think of the whole event/what we had posted. Thanks a lot :)
Do you know ...
1. Juvenile refers to people who broke the law(s) of the age of 7-17?
2. You will be caught for having the pocession of cigerattes if you're underage, even if you are just holding it for someone eles?
3. The Supreme Court doesn't entertain any audience?
*if you want to know more, visit our website or keep track of our posts!*
Thanks
1. Mrs Marilyn Soh and Ms Wendy Tan for helping us so much
2. Mrs Ong H.P. for encouraging us
3. Ms Audrey Lam for facilitating us throughout our court visit
4. Everyone that had craeted this chance for us to experience and learn so much
5. Finally, YOU out there for visiting our website/blog.
DANIEL LIM
PEER ADVISOR
