Legal office hosts mock trial for children

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Samantha S. Crane
  • 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho --  Fourth grade students from the Base Primary School learned how courtrooms work during a mock trial hosted by the 366th Fighter Wing Legal Office May 8 as part of the Law Day 2009 celebration.

Sponsored by the American Bar Association, this year's theme was "Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial."

"The purpose of Law Day is to remind the public about the necessity of law in society," said Staff Sgt. Steven Bayne, 366th FW legal office noncommissioned officer in charge of General Law. "It gives the children an opportunity to be directly involved in the justice system and have fun doing it."

"We're here to celebrate Law Day and try to figure out what's right and wrong," said Lt. Col. Matthew Grant, 366th FW staff judge advocate.

The mock trial took place in the legal office's courtroom and featured Pop A. Bear versus Gold E. Locks. Based on the children's story Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Gold E. Locks was charged with bad manners displayed when she entered a home without permission, ate the family's porridge, broke a chair and messed up the beds. Students played a direct role in the trial by acting out the roles of the judge, Gold E. Locks, Curl E. Locks, Pop A. Bear, Mom A. Bear, Babe E. Bear, the jury members and the bailiff along with the prosecution and defense lawyers.

"It was cool," said Cole Bird, who played Gold E. Locks' defense lawyer during the trial. "I wish we could do this every Friday."

The trial began with the prosecution and defense's opening remarks followed by witness accounts. After each side's closing remarks, the fourth graders split into two groups to decide Gold E.'s fate.

"I think I'll be innocent," said Emmelyn Redd, who played Gold E. Locks during the trial.

Unfortunately, the jury came back with a guilty verdict.

"Never go into someone's house without being invited," said Emmelyn.

After the trial, students asked any questions they had about how the law works.

"It gives the children an opportunity to have a little fun outside the school house and try to appreciate the justice system a little more," said Colonel Grant. "Frankly, it's to kind of recruit future lawyers and paralegals."

But it doesn't only benefit the children.

"Getting the opportunity to volunteer and work with the children with something like Goldilocks, renews their faith, their energy, their spirit and their drive," said Colonel Grant. "It's a chance to step away from the very serious business we have to deal with on a daily basis."

To continue the Law Day theme, the legal office will contact veterans and retirees along with their widows and dependents throughout the state of Idaho to ensure their legal needs are met.

"It's more positive for a lot of our retirees to have a lawyer come to your house at your convenience to provide you with free legal service you probably have to pay $500 or $1,000 for," said Colonel Grant.