"THE PROBLEM with some zero tolerance policies is that they allow for zero common sense. Where there is obviously no malicious intent, the punishment should fit the crime.
Georgia must make it clear that bringing a weapon onto school property jeopardizes public safety. Sadly, we live in a world where neighborhood violence can bleed into neighborhood schools, and where crazed young people have spawned tragedies on campuses.
Schools must be safe zones. But that doesn't mean all offenses are alike.
Consider the 14-year-old Georgia student who gets good grades, behaves in class and takes part in after-school activities, who voluntarily turned in a pocketknife to his principal. In this case, Eli Mohone was arrested and forced to spend the night in a youth detention center in Morgan County before receiving a hearing.
If the student had been an adult going into a public gathering, where weapons are also banned, state law allows as an 'affirmative defense' to prosecution the notification of a law enforcement officer that one has a weapon, along with surrendering or securing the weapon as the officer instructs."
Georgia must make it clear that bringing a weapon onto school property jeopardizes public safety. Sadly, we live in a world where neighborhood violence can bleed into neighborhood schools, and where crazed young people have spawned tragedies on campuses.Schools must be safe zones. But that doesn't mean all offenses are alike.
Consider the 14-year-old Georgia student who gets good grades, behaves in class and takes part in after-school activities, who voluntarily turned in a pocketknife to his principal. In this case, Eli Mohone was arrested and forced to spend the night in a youth detention center in Morgan County before receiving a hearing.
If the student had been an adult going into a public gathering, where weapons are also banned, state law allows as an 'affirmative defense' to prosecution the notification of a law enforcement officer that one has a weapon, along with surrendering or securing the weapon as the officer instructs."
