During a summer afternoon, a group of 30 high school students from different schools across Montgomery County gathered at a county courthouse to learn how a trial is conducted.
The students are spending the week in court as part of the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office Summer Academy.
The program gives students interested in the judicial field the opportunity to learn about the criminal justice system firsthand from prosecutors, defense attorneys, judges and top leaders in law enforcement.
The SAO Summer Academy is a weeklong program held during the summer. This is the second session hosted this summer, with approximately 30 high school students attending each session.
“Essentially, we offer this opportunity to students who are interested in law, criminal justice, law enforcement, things of that nature and want to get more hands-on experience with these various agencies that work in our system,” said Jay Mims, one of the lead coordinators for the SAO Summer Academy.
The program is free but competitive. Students had to submit an essay describing their interest in the criminal justice system. According to Mims, the program received about 113 applicants and selected 70 students across the two sessions.
During the mock trial, each student takes on a role. The case is presented to them one day before the trial, and each student must prepare. One group represents the defense, another represents the prosecution, while other students take on the roles of the judge and witnesses.
In this specific case, some of the crimes presented against the defendant included theft and robbery. During the trial, each student presented their arguments.
The judge who was also a student was responsible for directing the trial and maintaining order in the courtroom.
“I think when you’re trying to figure out what your dream is going to be, what you want to be when you grow up, having information and having the experience and seeing people that do it, I think is a very important tool that you can possess to help you navigate your way there,” said Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy.
For the Montgomery County State’s Attorney, the preference is to see these students become the next generation of attorneys, judges or prosecutors rather than defendants in the courtroom. He said it is encouraging to see young people interested in learning about the law.
“I’d much rather see you in a courtroom, prosecuting or knocking on my door for a job or prosecuting a case for me, or being the defense attorney on the other side,” the State’s Attorney said.
Rockville Circuit Court. Room 7D.
For the high school student Ariana, who is one of the defense attorneys in the case, the preparation is special. She hopes to pursue a career in law one day and make changes to the system.
“I want to make a difference in the world. And I think since I was young, I’ve been interested in law simply because I believe that it should be justice for everybody,” Ariana said.
The students are also learning about the criminal justice system beyond the mock trial. During the academy, they have the opportunity to speak with career professionals and observe actual hearings at the courthouse, giving them a better understanding of how the system works.
“I think it’s important for everyone to be informed, because you never know when you or someone you love can fall into a position where you’re in the criminal justice system,” Ariana said.
For many of these students, the trial is only the first step in figuring out whether law is the path they want to follow after high school. In the meantime, it is an opportunity to meet other students, learn about the judicial system and explore their abilities.
