Know Your Power: Your Rights, Your Voice
Keeping Students in Classrooms—Not Courtrooms
Know Your Power: Your Rights, Your Voice is an educational presentation designed to equip students ages 11–18 with practical knowledge about the legal system and how everyday decisions can carry real consequences. The program focuses on helping young people understand their rights, responsibilities, and the pathways that can either keep them engaged in school or pull them into the juvenile and adult court systems.
Led by Attorney Katrell Nash, the presentation draws from years of courtroom experience representing youth and families to deliver honest, age-appropriate guidance students can actually apply. Through discussion, real-world scenarios, and open dialogue, students are encouraged to think critically, ask questions, and make informed choices. Schools, youth organizations, and churches are invited to schedule this FREE presentation to give their students tools that promote accountability, confidence, and better decision-making. Schedule your presentation today.
1ST misconception
Kids can’t get into serious trouble with the law.
Reality: Age Does Not Always Protect You
In Georgia, age does not automatically shield a young person from serious legal consequences. Beginning at age 13, a youth may be subject to adult prosecution for certain serious offenses. Under Georgia law, some charges require that a case be transferred from Juvenile Court to Superior Court, where the youth is prosecuted as an adult rather than adjudicated as a juvenile.
Offenses that may require prosecution in Superior Court include:
Murder
Voluntary Manslaughter
Rape
Aggravated Sodomy
Aggravated Child Molestation
Aggravated Sexual Battery
Armed Robbery with a Firearm
Aggravated Assault with a Firearm upon a Public Safety Officer
Aggravated Battery with a Firearm upon a Public Safety Officer
Several of these offenses carry mandatory minimum sentences, meaning the judge’s discretion at sentencing may be limited if there is a conviction. In Georgia, once a person turns 17, they are legally considered an adult for criminal prosecution, and any arrest will be handled in adult court.
This is why knowledge matters. Understanding how Georgia law actually works empowers young people to make informed decisions—choices that help keep them in classrooms, not courtrooms.
2ND misconception
Social Media cannot Be Used Against You
Reality: Social Media Is Not Private
In Georgia, social media posts, messages, photos, reels, and videos can become evidence in both juvenile and adult cases. Law enforcement may review public content and information shared with others during an investigation. Even when content is deleted, it can often be recovered through screenshots, saved copies, data records, or requests to social media platforms, and may later be used out of context.
Because online activity can have real-world consequences, think carefully before you post or share. Avoid putting anything online that you would not want a parent or guardian, a teacher, or a law enforcement officer to see. If you come across threatening, harmful, or illegal content, report it to a trusted adult or appropriate authorities. Knowing how social media really works under the law helps protect your future—and keeps you in classrooms, not courtrooms.
3RD misconception
Being there isn’t the same as doing it.
Reality: Being “Just There” Can Still Get You Charged.
In Georgia, you don’t have to be the person who commits the crime to get in serious trouble. If two people talk about committing a crime and one person helps in any way—by planning, encouraging, acting as a lookout, or going along afterward—that person can be charged too. Even waiting outside while a friend commits a crime can count as helping.
Under Georgia law, this is called being a “party to the crime.” That means if you intentionally help, encourage, plan, or assist someone who commits a crime, you can be charged just like the person who did it. The safest move is simple: if someone starts talking about breaking the law, don’t engage—and remove yourself immediately. Knowing when to walk away can keep you in classrooms, not courtrooms.
4th misconception
It’s just words—I can’t get in trouble for saying that.
Reality: Words Alone Can Lead to Charges.
In Georgia, words alone can get you in trouble with the law—even if you never plan to do anything. If you say something that sounds like a real threat and it makes someone feel scared, unsafe, or causes serious disruption, the law may treat that as a crime under Georgia’s terroristic threats law.
Saying you were “just joking” or didn’t mean it does not automatically protect you. The law looks at how your words are heard and how they affect others, not just what you meant. That’s why it’s important to think before you speak—because once words are said, they can have real consequences.
Know Your Power: Your Rights, Your Voice
Knowledge that helps youth stay in school and out of the justice system.
