Courts in Schools program brings judicial system to Brownsville students

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Standing in front of seniors at Hanna Early College High School Friday morning, three defendants pleaded guilty to felony drug possession charges and were sentenced, in turn, to three years in prison each.

The proceedings before 445th state District Court Judge Gloria M. Rincones took place in the Hanna gymnasium. The defendants appeared in orange prison jumpsuits and were handcuffed. Bailiffs led them off afterward to serve their sentences under the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

Each of the defendants had already served nearly a year or more in prison and received credit for time served.

Jorge Angel Gallegos had served 362 days after he was found in his car with a vaping pen and 60 vaping cartridges containing marijuana oil.

Luis Alberto Tello had served 243 days, and Michael Garcia 435 days for possession of cocaine.

Each faced reduced charges as part of plea agreements that required them to appear before students in the Courts in Schools program and make statements to the students.

Each expressed remorse for their actions and urged the students not to make the mistakes they did.

A second part of the program allowed the students to ask questions of Rincones and other members of the judicial team, who all were there also: prosecutors, defense attorneys, clerks, bailiffs, court reporters, pre-trial services personnel, law enforcement, and other court personnel.

Rincones said the aim was to give students a hands-on look at the judicial system in action.

In a question-and-answer period afterward, Hailey Fuajardo asked Rincones what qualities make someone an effective advocate.

The judge answered that the most important thing is to listen, saying that Fuajardo or anyone else interested in a legal career could start honing the skill right away.

At another point Rincones said she was well into her undergraduate years before she had an inkling she would eventually become a lawyer and judge.

“Continue to study and the doors will open for you,” she said.

Responding to a question from another student about what makes a good defense lawyer, Eva De La Fuente, one of the attorneys representing Michael Garcia, said defense attorneys have to develop a thick skin.

Later, as the event was winding down, Fuajardo answered a question from The Brownsville Herald about whether Courts in Schools had been effective.

“I know a lot of people in school have never even stepped foot in court, so I think it’s amazing you brought the court here to them,” she said.

Classmate Jacob Smith said that while students study the police and courts in class, “bringing the judicial system to them really allows us to understand how it really works. God willing that they never find themselves in (the system), now they understand a little better how it really works,” Smith said.

Before the program, Superintendent Jesus H. Chavez said Brownsville ISD hoped students would hear the message to avoid life-changing mistakes.

“We want our students to know there are serious consequences to vaping and/or selling vaping pens, and they are going to witness it here,” Chavez said.

Before the students left the gymnasium to return to class, Board of Trustees President Erasmo Castro took selfies and spoke to them in Spanish.

“Nadien puede borar una felonia una vez que esta en su record,” Castro said, meaning no one can erase a felony once it’s on your record.

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