J. Tom Morgan, author and nationally recognized expert on the prosecution of crimes against children, will speak to Upper School students, eighth-graders and interested parents on Tuesday, April 4 at 9:15 a.m. in Morris Chapel.
"J. Tom Morgan spoke to Darlington students several years ago when our seniors were in middle school and when the opportunity arose to get him back on campus earlier this fall, the Student Life Office did not hesitate,” said Brant Evans, dean of student life. “His knowledge of the legal system in Georgia and how it relates to teens and the decisions they make, matched with the matter-of-fact approach he uses when speaking with students, creates an unequaled learning opportunity for our students, parents, and faculty alike."
Morgan, the author of “Ignorance is No Defense, A Teenager’s Guide to Georgia Law,” has appeared on CNN’s “Talk Back Live,” the “Oprah Winfrey Show,” “Court TV,” the “Today Show” and “48 Hours.” He served as the district attorney of DeKalb County, Ga., for 12 years and was the first prosecutor in the state to specialize in the prosecution of crimes against children. He is currently a trial lawyer in private practice in Decatur, specializing in criminal and civil litigation.
As district attorney, Morgan was the lead prosecutor in the case against former DeKalb County Sheriff Sidney Dorsey, who was convicted of corruption and murdering his opponent, Sheriff-elect Derwin Brown. Following this successful conviction, he was the first United States prosecutor to receive the Special Achievement Award from International Association of Prosecutors.
Morgan has dedicated his career to child advocacy and is committed to helping young people avoid being both victims and perpetrators of crimes. He served on the U.S. Advisory Board on Child Abuse and Neglect and was chairman of Georgia’s Child Abuse Prevention Panel. Recognizing the need to treat victims of child abuse, he was a founding member and is currently vice chairman of the Georgia Center for Child Advocacy Inc., which provides free counseling to children who are victims of child abuse.
Throughout his career, Morgan has spoken to thousands of teenagers and parents regarding Georgia laws that impact young people and has listened to their stories. With an engaging presentation that generates open and frank discussion with his audience, he is in demand as a speaker at schools, colleges, churches and other community groups. As part of his presentation, he responds to thoughtful and sometimes surprising questions submitted anonymously by teenagers.
The insights Morgan has gained from speaking with teenagers, as well as his experience as a prosecutor and private attorney, inspired him to write “Ignorance is No Defense.” Realizing that many teenagers often do not fully understand the law and its consequences, he explains Georgia laws in a readable, informative way using real-life examples.
This will be Morgan's third visit to Darlington. He also spoke to students and parents in 2008 and 2012.
