Most of us know the story of Goldie Locks and the Three Bears.
The facts are clear and undisputed: Goldie Locks entered the home
of the three bears, sampled their porridge, broke a chair and then
passed out in one of their beds.
But what do the facts add up to?
Hollister – Most of us know the story of Goldie Locks and the Three Bears. The facts are clear and undisputed: Goldie Locks entered the home of the three bears, sampled their porridge, broke a chair and then passed out in one of their beds.
But what do the facts add up to?
Was it just that Goldie Lock’s judgment was temporarily impaired by hunger and fatigue? Or, given her actions, did she intentionally commit the indiscretion of having bad manners?
That was the question put to a jury made up of Ladd Lane School students yesterday morning during the mock trial of the Three Bears v. Gold E. Locks. Local legal professionals played the roles of prosecution and defense attorneys for the trial that was held in recognition of the American Bar Association’s Law Day, which was May 1. This year’s Law Day theme was The American Jury: We the People in Action. Organizers of the mock trial hope that it will teach students the important role impartial juries play in the United State’s justice system.
“Eventually, all of us need to know how the legal system works,” said San Benito County Court Commissioner Jean Flanagan, who played the role of prosecuting attorney. “We felt that this would be more meaningful for understanding what the process is and what a jury is.”
Court was held yesterday in Ladd Lane’s multi-purpose room. As the school’s fourth and fifth graders watched on, the jury – which was made up of students most of whom took on the roles of various fairytale forest creatures – was seated and the plaintiffs and defendant entered the room. Then everyone was asked to stand as the judge, played by Cristine Irish a sophomore at Pinnacles Community School, took her place behind the bench.
“I think it’s very fun,” said Irish, looking very judicial in a black robe. “It gives kids the opportunity to see how a trial is. Maybe they will want to get a job in the legal profession.”
The prosecution argued that Gold E. Locks was guilty of having bad manners for entering the bears’ home, eating their food and breaking their chair. The defense claimed that Gold E. Lock assumed that she was a guest for breakfast because she had been invited to their home in the past, and therefore had not exhibited bad manners.
After the three bears and Gold E. Locks – all of whom were played by students – were questioned by the attorneys for about a half-hour, the jury was sent out to decide whether the defendant was guilty of having bad manners.
During jury deliberation, students speculated about the outcome of the trial.
“I don’t think any of it would have happened if Babe B. Bear hadn’t left the door open,” said fifth grader Jacob DeLeon.
After about five minutes, the jury returned with a verdict: Guilty.
It was an easy verdict to come to, said fifth grader Austin Nye, who played the part of a juror named Frankie Fox.
“Everyone said guilty,” he said. “She wasn’t invited. She could have waited for the bears to give her permission.”
Just like with a real trial, not everyone in the crowd agreed with the verdict, and they let their disagreement be known by shouting and flashing the thumbs-down sign at the jury.
But despite the lack of total consensus between jurors and trial watchers, the lesson seemed to be learned: Impartial juries are an important part of the country’s legal system.
“Hopefully this will help them understand how the process works,” Said Principal Bob Hammond.
And now some students are even looking forward to the magical day that they’ll receive a jury summons in the mail.
“I learned that you have to be fair in a court room,” Nye said. “I think I might want to be on a jury.”
Luke Roney covers education and agriculture for the Free Lance. Reach him at 831-637-5566 ext. 335 or at [email protected].
