JANS – Hinds County Court – District 2 Judge Pieter Teeuwissen served as a guest instructor for Upward Bound – TRIO students, guiding 24 students through the criminal court trial process and facilitating a mock trial. As participants in the 2024 Summer Upward Bound’s Liberal Arts Academy, these students spent four weeks learning about the criminal justice system, covering topics ranging from the Constitution to correctional re-entry programming. 

“I think it is incredibly important for students to not only learn through lectures but also to engage with the professionals who facilitate the criminal justice system,” said Judge Teeuwissen. “This type of hands-on exposure provides invaluable insights and a deeper understanding of the real-world applications of their studies.”

Other guest instructors included Lieutenant Kevin Lavine from the Hinds County Sheriff’s Office, Investigator Tilmon Clifton from Jackson State University’s Public Safety Department, and Lieutenant Robert Watts from the Capitol Police Department, who taught the students about crime scene investigations. The students also gained valuable insights into the pre-trial process from Hinds County Assistant District Attorney Andreka Hollins, as well as attorneys Charlie King and Roe Powell from the Hinds County Public Defender’s Office.

“The success of this summer’s program has been truly remarkable. I’m excited to see how these students will use their experiences to plan for college and future careers,” said Synarus Green, who is an expert criminal justice system consultant.

Upward Bound provides fundamental support to participants in their preparation for college entrance. The summer program offers opportunities for participants to succeed in their pre-college performance and, ultimately, in their higher education pursuits. The goal of Upward Bound is to increase the rate at which participants complete secondary education and enroll in and graduate from institutions of postsecondary education.