September 29, 2006
Queens, NY -
The St. John’s University School of Law will
host a mock trial for local fourth grade children from Presentation
of the Blessed Virgin Mary School in Jamaica, N.Y. on Saturday,
September 30 at 9:30 a.m. The initiative is part of the
University’s annual Service Day, a
week-long series of programs that began on September 23.
Law students will coach their younger counterparts in conducting
a trial in the case of Village of Sheepfold
v. Joey Wolfcryer, based on the story of “The Boy Who Cried
Wolf.” The children will try their case in the School of Law’s
flagship Belson Moot Court Room, where they will take on the roles
of prosecutor, defense counsel, witnesses, and judge. After a
full trial, a jury of their classmates will deliberate and announce
a verdict.
As part of their trial preparation, the children have been
learning about court procedures and the rules of
evidence. Members of St. John’s Polestino Trial Advocacy
Institute, a select group of law students who excel at trial
advocacy have visited Presentation School to coach the fourth
graders. They have shared their expertise on opening
statements, witness examination, and closing
arguments.
“The mock trial is much more than a ‘play.’ It is an opportunity
for children to learn about the American justice system in a fun
and engaging way,” said second-year Law Student Jane Black, who
helped organize the event as co-chair of St. John’s Student Bar
Association’s Community Outreach Committee. “It is the start of an
ongoing mentoring program between St. John’s and Presentation
School. Through mentoring, the spirit of Service Day will continue
throughout the year.”
School of Law Professor Gina
Calabrese added, “We chose a mock trial as our Service Day
project so that we could share the specialized talent of the Law
School. By opening our doors to neighborhood children, we can
teach about the legal system and show them that law school is
within their reach. Our law students, in turn, are learning one of
the core values of the legal profession by sharing their special
skills with our community.”
One of the core values of the University, service has always
been a critical part of learning and working at St. John’s.
University Service Day is designed, in part, to help build on-going
relationships with the surrounding community and with the
Alumni.
For more information, please contact Gina Calabrese at (718)
990-1848, or via e-mail at calabreg@stjohns.edu. For
media inquires, contact Elizabeth Reilly, Assistant Director of
Media Relations at St. John’s University at (718) 990-5789, or via
e-mail at reillye@stjohns.edu.