St. Francis students celebrated Law Day last Thursday in an original way: they held two mock trials in their classroom—complete with a judge, Crown attorney, witnesses, and jury.
“It’s to get them to have a little fun with it and have a little familiarity with it,” said Trudy McCormick, executive director of the Rainy River District Community Legal Clinic.
McCormick and staff lawyer Laurie Nuttall visited Tracy Wright’s Grade 5 class for several weeks before the two trials to prepare the students for their day in “court.”
Students played all the major roles, expect for the judge, who was played by teacher David Black. Both cases were heard before a jury of eight students.
In one case, “Quirky,” an alien from the planet Muzak (played by Devin Stromness), was charged with theft under $1,000.
Quirky and his brother, Zirky, had been shopping in an electronics store, court heard, when Quirky saw a Gameboy and took it.
After opening statements, the two Crown attorneys (played by Mico Servello and Jordan Borden), grilled Quirky about the day he took the popular toy.
Then under questioning from defence lawyers (played by Katherine Dobie and Kristin Allan), Quirky explained the concept of money was foreign to him because there is no such thing on Muzak.
The Crown called several witnesses, including the owner of the electronics store, the arresting police officer, and Zirky. Each witness was sworn in or made an affirmation, according to Canadian law, by a bailiff (played by Ryan Brady).
Once both sides had called all their witnesses, McCormick explained to the jury that if this were a more complicated the case, the judge would summarize for the jury the testimony they had heard and help them understand the law in this particular case.
Because of the simple nature of the charge, she left them with one thought.
“Remember, the Crown attorneys have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt not only that Quirky took the Gameboy, but that he meant to steal the Gameboy,” McCormick said.
After only a minute of deliberation, the jury came back with a guilty verdict.
Judge Black decided to be lenient as this was a first offence and ordered Quirky to pay a $100 fine.
Each year, the Ontario Bar Association celebrates Law Day in April to educate the public—both children and adults—about the Canadian legal system.
Law Day was first held in Canada in April, 1982 as a way of celebrating and commemorating the signing of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
