"Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?"
Mr. Jack Hauser, Messmer Administration, was sworn in by presiding judge Mr. Richard Anderson, Teacher and Messmer Attorney, as part of a mock trial conducted in the Intro to Law class. In Intro to Law, students study current and past statutes, learn the process and requirements to become an attorney as well as the strategies used to handle different kinds of cases.
In the mock trial, teachers acted as witnesses and the class was divided into the Defense and the Prosecution. The trial used a real case, State of Wisconsin v. Johnson, involving the kidnapping and murder of a seven-year-old girl. Each side researched the evidence and formulated their witness questions and trial strategies.
Trial procedures including objections, proper cross examination, and phrasing of witness questions were practiced by the class through the mock trial, and "Judge" Anderson rendered his verdict based on the effectiveness of the "attorneys."
The Intro to Law class is a great place for students to gain a keen understanding of the judicial system, whether or not they intend to pursue Law as a career. They learn the value of evidence for arguing a position, how to research and problem-solve, and the importance of effective writing and speaking to persuade and inform.
