Seniors in Government got a hands-on lesson in jury duty and due process during a mock trial that spanned six class periods. Students examined eyewitness reliability, warrant limits, and forensic evidence challenges while prosecutors argued for the death penalty and the defense argued to save the life of an “innocent” defendant.
The project gave students firsthand experience evaluating complex evidence and practicing courtroom skills. The trial involved 12 student jurors, two defense attorneys, two prosecutors and four witnesses, according to Government teacher Marco Pompa. This year, the verdict was not guilty twice, compared with once last year, he said.
While the trial did not go perfectly, it helped students understand the challenges of legal procedures and the importance of evidence credibility. “I did the mock trial so that students learn how the justice system works and know more about jury duty,” Mr. Pompa said. “I didn’t want them to be blindsided by it once they were called to do it themselves in real life. It is an important part of civic duty as people of the country. That way they can understand their rights and what it entails.”
Prosecutor Nyimma Bayor said that the trial was unfair, because not all students took it seriously. “The story was a little messy,” she said. “The witnesses didn’t have strong backstories, and the trial wasn’t executed as it needed to be.”
She added that the trial helped her understand how evidence and witness testimony can influence a case.
Mustapha Drammeh, one of the defendants, said the trial taught him to look closely at legal arguments. “The search of the shed showed flaws because the police only had a warrant for the house,” he said. “I also learned that testimony from a criminal can affect a case, so it’s important to check how trustworthy witnesses are.”
Mr. Pompa said forensic evidence was the hardest part for students to argue. He plans to improve future trials by giving witnesses more detailed storylines and providing clearer facts for characters like Devito, helping students experience a fairer and more structured trial next time.
