FORT STEWART, Ga. - The Liberty County Office of the Clerk of Courts in Hinesville, Ga., not only serves justice but is a place where Marne youth can learn about the legal system.

Child, Youth and School Services' Experience, Develop, Grow and Excel program, also referred to as EDGE!, ventured to the magistrate court room, Aug. 3.

"It is very important that [these students] are exposed to these kinds of programs, so that they have some kind of idea about the legal system, justice system and law enforcement," said Melinda Anderson, chief magistrate of Liberty County. "There are some laws that are in the books that you don't really know that you're breaking the law when you do it. You can [end] up getting in a lot of trouble, especially after you're 17 years old because that will stay on their record."

Anderson explained to the EDGE! students that her position is an elected position. She also spoke to the youth about simple battery and simple assault, sharing that there is a difference.

"[Knowing about that] could keep [youth] out of court," the chief magistrate said. "[Not realizing that a little shove] or merely putting hands on another person can get you in trouble. You can make the touch, turn around and walk away, but you still committed simple battery."

According to the Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyers webpage, simple batteries defined under Georgia law as intentionally causing harm to another person or touching them in an insulting or provoking nature while simple assault is defined by Georgia Statute as attempting to commit a violent injury to another person or putting someone in a situation where it is reasonable that they will receive a violent injury.

For one 12-year-old EDGE! youth, he found the topic of simple battery particularly interesting during his field trip to the court room.

"It was a new experience. I like the way the court room looks; it's pretty nice and it's clean," said Dwight Coles, who is going to middle school. "[The topic of] simple battery is when you touch somebody, it's considered simple battery and you can be charged for it."

Anderson concludes the field trip session with one final message.

"I think the most important thing that the kids can learn as well as adults is to do unto others as you would have them do unto you," she said. "Because the golden rule is one of the first rules and that still stands. If we all abide by that then we won't have the need we do for as many jails, as many courts or policemen . . . treat everybody with respect that you wish to be treated with."