Page 134 - South Mississippi Living - December, 2018

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LOCAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY HONORED FOR HIS WORK
Canopy CEO Dr. John Damon, District Attorney Joel Smith, Mississippi First Lady Deborah Bryant
Each year, Canopy Children’s Solutions pays tribute to three honorees — state and local leaders, philanthropists, corporations or community groups — for their work in the community and their impact on enhancing child welfare in Mississippi. Joel Smith, District Attorney for the 2nd Judicial District serving Harrison, Hancock and Stones Counties, was recognized as a 2018 Chrysalis Award recipient.
Smith has dedicated more than 15 years to public service in South Mississippi and has been passionate in his prosecution of individuals
who commit violent, sexual, or
exploitive crimes against children. He
works closely with Canopy’s South
Mississippi Child Advocacy Center
(SMCAC) to prosecute cases where
minors are involved.
“Your court systems in America are
well-suited to prosecute bad guys,
but they are not equipped to make
sure a child is protected in the process,” said Smith during the Chrysalis presentation at Canopy’s Celebration of Excellence. “Like many things in government, the court system moves slowly and without regard to the victims who go through it. That is where beautiful partnerships with Child Advocacy Centers and Canopy work wonders helping to protect child victims from becoming further traumatized. I am thankful to have the Child Advocacy Center that works with us and works with families to make sure abused and neglected children
are taken care of throughout the process.”
The SMCAC conducts forensic interviews where
a specially-trained interviewer participates in a structured conversation, listening carefully as the child shares detailed information about possible crimes he or she may have experienced or witnessed. This interview is recorded and then shared with
a multi-disciplinary team, which includes the district attorney’s office, child welfare agents, law enforcement and medical and mental health
professionals, allowing the child to give an account of their experience one time in a child-friendly and comforting space, lessening further trauma. The interview allows other members of the team
access to critical information needed to adequately investigate and prosecute the case and ensure the child and family receive proper care. This cooperative
model has resulted in Smith’s successful prosecution with pleas or convictions in hundreds of child victim cases on the Gulf Coast.
Smith, a life-long resident of the Mississippi
Gulf Coast, was honored along with Mississippi Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney, as well
as long-time Canopy board member and retired telecommunications executive James “Red” Moffat. The honorees join a host of powerful forces who are committed to seeing Mississippi children thrive.
Learn more about the 2018 Chrysalis honorees at www.mycanopy.org/news-events.
134 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • December 2018
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story and photos courtesy of
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