Hands-on learning at the courthouse

Fifth graders from across the county took a field trip to the Carbon County Courthouse to participate in a mock trial on May 21.

Students from Rawlins, Saratoga and Baggs participated in the mock trial to learn about the judicial system with two groups at the courthouse. One held their trial at 9 a.m. and the other at noon.

During the mock trial itself, students were given different roles, with some students given scripts and acting as witnesses, and others becoming members of the jury. The rest of the students sat as observers in the audience.

The mock trial focused on the case of a missing lunch bag, where a student defendant was accused of stealing and eating his classmate’s lunch. Attorneys presented the case in the trial, with District Court Judge Dawnessa Snyder presiding over the case.

“It’s really a great example of what happens in court on a simplified level,” Snyder said.

Throughout the experience, multiple witnesses were called to the stand and questioned about the missing lunch bag. After witness questioning, the attorneys gave closing remarks to the jury.

The jury was then given instructions by the judge, and went into a back room to deliberate. While the jury was away, the rest of the students were given the opportunity to ask questions to Snyder. The fifth graders seemed deeply engaged, asking questions ranging from the intricacies of the court system to previous cases encountered in the court.

Snyder took the opportunity on a question about the jury system to emphasize the importance of civic duty to students.

“Jury duty is one of your most important responsibilities as an American Citizen,” she said.

When the student jury returned, many members of the audience still had their hands raised to ask questions.

Attorney Natasha Martinez emphasized the impact the experience has on the students.

“I think this is a good hands-on education piece, you can only learn so much through books,” said Martinez. “Actually seeing and understanding the process will be something the kids remember.”

“Fifth grade is perfect for this, because that’s when they are really starting to get into the constitution and United States history,” Snyder said.

After the jury was seated, the student jury representative gave the verdict: guilty. The unfortunate student playing the defendant was then taken away by the deputy, to then be picked up momentarily by the rest of his class.

Snyder explained she hopes students can remember the experience, and can make the connections to the field trip when learning about the law, or when having to deal with the court themselves.

“You see so many kids having to come in on custody disputes, and maybe they have a level of comfort now so when they see a courtroom or see a judge they’re not so scared,” Snyder said.

To finish out the field trip, students were given a tour of the courthouse.