Most students in a group of Paulding County students accused in a senior prank have accepted a deal to lessen the charges.

Paulding County District Attorney Dick Donovan spoke to a packed house of students and parents inside the county courthouse Friday. He offered a deal to reduce felony charges for the almost two dozen students arrested and charged with vandalizing East Paulding High School last month.

"I don't think they're criminals. I think people break the law because they're criminals. Some people break the law because they don't know any better or make a stupid mistake," Donavan said.
   
If the accused students complete 400 hours of community service, pay more than $1,000 in fees and restitution and agree to testify against any codefendants who don't accept the deal, the charges will be dismissed. Donavan said 21 of the 24 charged students have accepted the offer.

The school's principal, Scott Viness, applauded the arrangement.

"I think it was very fair. I think the DA did an excellent job in evaluating the situation," Viness said.

Darryl Ferguson, who represents one of the students charged, said his client spray painted the roadway in front of the school.

"I think the deal was firm but fair. The reality is at the end of the day, we're talking about high school students. We’re not talking about hardened criminals," Ferguson said.

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