In preparation, Holy Name humanities teacher Meaghan Jensen developed a fictional case with support from Jacquelyn Trask-Rahn, a former litigation attorney.

“After the eighth-grade students studied the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights in their American History class, and while reading To Kill a Mockingbird, this experience will serve as a meaningful culmination of their studies this year,” said Jensen.

Judge John Economopoulos presided over the mock trial, taking notes as students filled roles including the prosecution, defense and witnesses.

Economopoulos said, “The mock trial is to give the students an opportunity to learn about the criminal justice system in so far as the case may have criminal elements involved, but more about the judicial system and being in a courtroom, actually seeing how the due process of parties unfolds in a courtroom, how, in an orderly fashion, problems are resolved without chaos, with procedure, with adherence to rules, with patience and the intelligent application of argument in favor of your position.”

One student from Holy Name Catholic School gave the prosecution's opening statement during the eighth-grade class' mock trial in the Delta County 47th Circuit Court on Thursday. (Sophie Vogelmann | Daily Press)

The judge, who was sworn into the court in December 2016, invites educational opportunities into his courtroom, despite the Circuit Court’s busy schedule.

“These are good lessons to learn, not only for students, but also for citizens, and that’s why I always encourage people to come into the courtroom — it’s a public courtroom — and see how cases are argued and advocated for by parties, through attorneys, and how the court operates.”

Students acting as the prosecution took their places in seats often occupied by many attorneys throughout the history of the Delta County Courthouse. Across from them, students on the defense sat where many accused of crimes have learned their fates.

“By teaching the children about that process, I think it’ll give them some hope growing up that the world isn’t as bad as the news reports all the time, you know?” Economopoulos said. “We want to help cultivate good citizens, and I think that begins with understanding that when conflict arises in a community, there is a sensible way for it to be resolved short of chaos.”

Before the mock court proceedings began, Economopoulos asked if any students wanted to become a lawyer. One girl’s hand shot up eagerly. When the judge asked her why, she replied, “‘Cause I get to argue with people.”

Economopoulos emphasized the importance of public understanding of the legal system, particularly among young people.

“All too often, the legal system is misunderstood, whether it’s because of movies or because of prevailing beliefs that are not anchored in truth. The best way that I think we can teach children about how the process works so they’re not afraid of it, so they embrace it, so they understand how wonderful our system of laws is in America, is to come into a courtroom and learn how problems are solved in a thoughtful way following rules and giving everybody a fair opportunity to be heard, which is something that you don’t get out in the real world all the time.”

Jensen added, “We extend our sincere thanks to Judge Economopoulos for hosting our Holy Name eighth-graders and helping make this experience possible.”

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Sophie Vogelmann can be reached at 906-786-2021 or svogelmann@dailypress.net.