Criminal Defense Attorney explains possible consequences for Southwick students if found guilty

on Thursday Hampton da Anthony goney announced that six juveniles have been criminally charged after his investigation into racist bullying in Southwick 22 news reporter Melissa Torres breaks down what these charges are and explains what long-term consequences could be for these students well CR Nick I spoke to a criminal defense Laur and he says that these students could face some jail time it all depends on the if the case stays in juvenile court or not uh I believe that these children are in serious trouble the investigation conducted by the hamund DA's office revealed that these students allegedly uttered hateful and racist comments including Notions of violence towards people of color racial slurs derogatory pictures and videos and a mock slave auction the students are facing a range of charges if they are under 18 now they can be incarcerated until they're 18 criminal defense lawyer Alex Schwarz believes that if this case stays in juvenile court and these juveniles are found delinquent they could face a wide range of consequences uh their punishment can go range from a non-judicial disposition in other words uh supervision through the probation offices uh all the way through incarceration those charges range from interference with civil rights which is felony threat to commit a crime and witness interference Massachusetts law prohibits people uh from interfering with the exercise of a right of a citizen in this case uh the right to be free from discrimination based on race schz told me that there is a lot of factors at play which makes it difficult to determine what's going to happen in the near future to these six juveniles But ultimately their age will determine the severity of their consequences or potential sentencing working for you in Springfield tonight Melisa Torres 22 News