Law Day walks students through trial process
Times Observer photos by Josh Cotton The members of the jury hear from the accused - Goldilocks, portrayed by Caitlin Bannister, a TCCS student, as part of Law Day’s mock trial Monday.
A group of Warren and Forest county students served as the jury
Papa Bear is portrayed by Lucas Martin, a student from Eisenhower, is questioned by District Attorney Rob Greene during a mock trial held Monday as part of Law Day at the Warren County Courthouse.
Times Observer photos by Josh Cotton The members of the jury hear from the accused - Goldilocks, portrayed by Caitlin Bannister, a TCCS student, as part of Law Day’s mock trial Monday.
A group of Warren and Forest county students served as the jury
Papa Bear is portrayed by Lucas Martin, a student from Eisenhower, is questioned by District Attorney Rob Greene during a mock trial held Monday as part of Law Day at the Warren County Courthouse.
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Goldilocks is likely headed to jail as a result of a unanimous jury verdict handed down during a trial held Monday at the Warren County Courthouse.
She was convicted of theft -- stealing porridge -- as well as burglary for entering the Bear home.
Five witnesses took the stand -- three for the prosecution and two for the defense -- and the jury returned its verdict in about 15 minutes.
In case you haven't figured it out yet, it was not a serious trial, but the hope is that it conveyed some serious lessons.
Law Day was Monday and high school seniors from Warren and Forest counties participated in an event highlighted by a mock trial as part of the event held at the Warren County Courthouse.
Depending on the year, Law Day can take many forms.
District Attorney Rob Greene said a mock trial was selected this year because "it's more interesting. It's better to have the kids involved. It's more exciting for them."
He called it a "more real-world experience."
Greene was the prosecutor while Chief Public Defender Kord Kinney represented Goldilocks, portrayed by Tidioute Community Charter School student Caitlyn Bannister.
President Judge Maureen Skerda presided over the trail and explained that Law Day dates to 1958 and was created as a response to May Day shows of military power in communist countries.
The American Bar Association theme for this year is "Cornerstones of Democracy: Civics, Civility and Collaboration."
"In order for a society to survive, we need to be able to respect each other," Skerda said, and show "tolerance for other persons view points."
She highlighted how civility and collaboration work in the course of court proceedings, specifically the respect shown by opposing counsel for each other.
"While we have an entertaining case in court today. When you come to court it is usually pretty serious business," she said.
Skerda explained she hoped to challenge the students to think on democracy in light of the rights they are most likely to exercise -- the right to vote and the responsibility to sit on a jury.
"These rights should not be taken lightly," she said. "When you're called for jury duty, enjoy that privilege. Not all countries have that privilege."