Law Day 2021

 

ASA 8th Graders Served as Jury Members for Law Day 2021

  Law Day is held on May 1st every year to celebrate the role of law in our society and to cultivate a deeper understanding of the legal profession.  Many high schools and a few middle schools hold mock trials in May to teach students about our court system and the legal profession.  

This year, our 8th graders were able to collaborate with the 8th graders from Corpus Christi Catholic School in Holland Michigan and serve as the jury in a mock trial.  The case, Styles v. Christie Properties, Ltd., was adapted from a 2015 Georgia case and made available from the Georgia State Bar.  

Before and after serving as the jury for this case, ASA students learned about the role of the jury in court proceedings, the jury selection process and voir dire, the burden of proof, and differences in criminal and civil courts.  Students came to school on May 10th prepared to listen impartially and render a just verdict.  The trial was streamed live and ASA students listened to the Corpus Christi students acting out the roles of the lawyers, witnesses, plaintiff, and defendant. The judge was The Honorable Paul Kraus, an Ottawa County Prosecutor.

”Our students were engaged and taking notes throughout the trial. They really took their role seriously” -Nicole Patterson 8th grade ELA Teacher

When the trial was finished, the student jury turned off the cameras to deliberate.  Cadan Wodarek served as jury foreman and did a great job moderating the conversation.  Votes were taken and all jurors did not agree.  Students used their notes to make arguments for or against the defendant and the plaintiff.  In the end, the jury reached a decision and the foreman announced it to the court over a Google Meet.  It was a great learning experience for all involved.

“It was a unique experience to see how a trail was done.” 

- Cadan Wodarek

“Corpus Christi did a good job acting out the trial.”

- Edem Denoo

“The [defendant] was so guilty.”

- Connor Calton

“Law Day taught us important skills we may need later in life.”

- Olivia Ontiveros

Great work 8th grade! Special thanks to Mrs. Megan Koster and Mrs. Jennifer Liniewski from Corpus Christi for partnering with us, to Judge Paul Kraus for presiding over the case, to the St. Alphonsus Education Endowment foundation for the generous grant to make this day possible, to Miss Giroux for introducing us to the program, and to the ASA 8th grade teachers, Mrs. Patterson, Mrs. Beckwith, Miss Arbaugh and Mr. Kress for making this special project possible this year.