While Georgia has what it calls “accountability courts ”— problem-solving programs for drug addicts and deadbeat parents used as an alternative to jail — Clayton’s Second Chance program is believed to be the only one of its kind in the state for young felons, according to Clayton Chief Juvenile Judge Steve Teske.
Just over 100 young men between the ages of 14 and 17 have gone through the program since its began in 2010. They’ve been convicted of serious offenses such as aggravated assault, burglary, armed robbery, weapons possession, home invasion and entering autos. Some are gang members, although they often don’t admit it, Teske said.
So far, about 75 have graduated from the program. Second Chance graduates get their felonies expunged once they complete the program and go two years without any incidents, Teske said.
“We’d rather intervene this way while they’re kids so that we don’t have to see them again as adults,” Teske said.
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