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District Court Judge Laura Barnard held court in Dryden High School April 16 and sentenced offenders who got behind the wheel while intoxicated. Barnard takes her court on the road each year to county high schools to warn teenagers of the dangers of inebriated driving.

"With spring breaks on, and prom season upon us, I want to be certain that kids don't do something stupid," Barnard said.

Barnard, flanked by Lapeer County Sheriff's deputy Kerry Kirby, the court officer, Sheriff Ron Kalanquin, Michigan State Police D/Sgt. Mark Reaves, Dryden Township Police Sgt. Shawn Peters and officer Dave Hill, sentenced offenders to jail, house arrest, probation and hefty fines in her school courtroom. As in her usual courtroom, the accused were represented by their attorneys and allowed to make a statement.

The students looked at the sentencing with interest. Many began to openly sob following a powerful video played by Barnard about a young man who drank and drove. In seconds his life and his victim's family were altered forever. The father spoke of life without his son and the drunk driver relayed his regrets and the loss of his family.

"I'd rather talk to you here than to see you in my courtroom," Barnard said.

It was a message many of the teenagers are taking seriously.

"I liked the court sentencing a lot," said senior Amanda Rinke. "It makes it real."

"It's really what can happen," said junior Courtney Buckner.

"It destroys any myth," said senior Raya Rubino. "It's reality."

Junior Whitney Flannigan was upset after seeing a picture showing a beer can memorial placed at the spot where a young drunk driver was killed.

The heartbreak of the parents shown on the video affected junior Lindsay Williamson.

"I've never driven while drunk and I never will," said junior Liz Sturza. "If my friends try to, I'll stop them."

"The movie really opens up your eyes," said junior Chelsea Benoit. "Everyone was crying. It was something that happened."

Susan Younger may be reached at (810) 664-0811, Ext. 8122 or susan.younger@lapeergroup.com