Judge gives six Opelouas High students jail time

 Six students 17 or older involved in the Sept. 23 brawls at Opelousas High School got jail time Wednesday.
City Judge Vanessa Harris gave 30 days to each of them, reducing the penalties from up to six months, provided they behave for the next two years and complete 200 hours of community service.
They are banned from the school and from any public or private school-related activities.
They cannot make contact with their victims, including through such outlets as Facebook. One of the students was previously expelled for making derogatory statements and another for missing a expulsion hearing. The other four are still in the school system, and will be transported by police from jail to the alternative program and back daily.
“You all need to understand that you go to school to learn, not to act like wild animals,” Judge Harris is reported to have told the defendents.
“You go to school to get an education, not to be gang bangers or thugs. If you’re going to be a thug, you have two options: you’re going to an early grave or you’re going to be in and out of a penitentiary for the rest of your life.”
Students allegedly involved in the fighting who are minors will get closed juvenile hearings.