Description

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This Standard Operating Procedures manual was created specifically for Newton County Juvenile Court, by Dr. Theresa Da Silva Edwards. The standard operating procedures within this manual, are built upon a framework of legal protocols, and procedures, designed to protect the mediation process, the juveniles involved, Newton County Juvenile Court, and its' Court Appointed Mediators. Mediation Diversion Programs exist in many American Juvenile Courts. This manual refines, and consolidates some of those procedures, including information garnered from the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia. This manual is easily adapted to fit the needs of any Juvenile Court Mediation Diversion Program.

About the Author

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Theresa Da Silva Edwards earned her Juris Doctor in Law, from John Marshall Law School (Georgia) in 1996, after graduating from Fordham University (New York City), with a B.A. in Political Science. During her third year in law school, she interned in the Fulton County District Attorney's Office, litigating and mediating a caseload of about 20 cases daily. Theresa then went on to Clerk for the Honorable Sanford Jones, Chief Judge of Fulton County Juvenile Court. The Georgia Supreme Court certified Dr. Da Silva Edwards as a General Mediator. She is CEO and owner of Silva Solutions, Inc. Her corporation specializes in the creating and training of Alternative Dispute Resolution Programs for government agencies, juvenile courts, and corporations.