Parents and educators spend a lot of time and energy trying to keep kids out of courtrooms.
But on Tuesday, Starkville High School was thrilled to have its students in court.
On Tuesday, Heather Fair’s law and public safety class at Starkville High’s Millsaps Career & Technology Center participated in a mock murder trial at the Oktibbeha County Circuit Court in collaboration with the 16th District Attorney’s office. Assistant DAs Trina Davidson-Brooks and Collen Hudson ran the event. Starkville High started holding these mock trials years ago but Tuesday’s case was the school’s first since 2022.
Davidson-Brooks said students in the past have taken the DA’s office up on attending trials or shadowing attorneys. Fair said she has some former students who are now in law school, so both believe it’s an invaluable experience for students to have this experience.
Students played different roles in a sentencing hearing for a murder case, with the defense and prosecution both calling witnesses either in support of or in opposition to the defendant being sentenced to 45 years. After both sides made their cases, the judge gave the defendant only 10 years.
Every year, an estimated 43,500 students from 52 U.S. states and territories participate in high school mock trials nationwide. The program gives students an insider’s view into the judicial system.
For some schools, including Mississippi School for Math and Science, mock trial teams are an extracurricular activity. Other schools participate in mock trials only occasionally.
How many students are inspired to become attorneys after participating in a mock trial event or program is hard to say. But the profession has always had its appeal whether through practice of law or other careers it serves as a catalyst for. For example, 25 of 45 U.S. Presidents were lawyers, including Adams, Jefferson, Lincoln, FDR and Biden, the most recent law school grad to serve as president.
Of course, most students who participate in mock trials won’t pursue a career as an attorney. But the benefits that come with the experience go far beyond that singular profession.
Students enhance critical thinking skills by dissecting and analyzing dense case materials, identifying crucial evidence and constructing compelling arguments under pressure. Public speaking skills are sharpened in a high-stakes, intense setting. The students polish their research and writing skills by crafting opening statements and closing arguments.
Whether it is building confidence, learning about teamwork and collaboration or problem-solving under pressure, experiences like mock trials, student legislature and debate clubs arm students with skills key to professional and personal growth.
It is also great fun.
We applaud our district attorney’s office for providing this opportunity and the students who participated.
We believe a mock trial team would be a great addition to any school’s extracurricular program.
A good place to start is the Mississippi Bar Association, which sponsors the state mock trial competition.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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