St. Charles College students were awarded the Hennessy Cup at the Mock Trial Competition at the Sudbury Court House Jan. 14.
Silver medals were presented to students from Confederation Secondary School.
Close to 85 students in Grade 12 from Rainbow District School Board and the Sudbury Catholic District School Board donned legal gowns for the event.
They prosecuted and defended the case of Her Majesty the Queen versus an 18-year-old charged with possession and trafficking of illegal substances.
The Mock Trial Competition is well established within the Grade 12 Law curriculum.
In addition to meeting curriculum expectations, mock trials develop other skills in students, including public speaking, teamwork, presentation, preparation and critical thinking skills.
“Students from Sudbury area secondary schools have fully embraced the Mock Trial program,” Madame Justice Patricia C. Hennessy, who organizes the competition, said.
“They are taking advantage of the wonderful opportunity of working with local lawyers to experience the inside workings of the criminal justice system. Their enthusiasm and hard work is inspiring.
“It is our hope that these students will be engaged citizens, whose experience of the court process will give them an understanding of important events in the life of the community.
“We also know that this experience creates confident advocates, whether as students, citizens or professionals.”
Rainbow District School Board Chair Doreen Dewar thanked the volunteer coaches from the Sudbury and District Law Association and the Sudbury Crown Attorney’s Office who, year after year, provide hundreds of hours of time to this project.
“Through the Mock Trial Competition, local lawyers make an invaluable contribution to student learning by bringing the classroom into the courtroom,” she said.
“Many students have been inspired to pursue studies in the legal field after secondary school.” She added: “We commend the legal community for being exceptional role models for community service and student success.”
