Carbon County Bar Association holds annual Law Day
The team from Jim Thorpe high school, from left, Taylor Saba, Emilio Mercado and Noah Rodgers, discuss the case at the defense table during a mock trial in the Carbon County Courthouse Monday morning. BOB FORD/TIMES NEWS
The Carbon County Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division, held its annual Law Day program on Monday at the courthouse in Jim Thorpe.
Students from Jim Thorpe, Lehighton, Palmerton, Panther Valley and Weatherly high schools, in Carbon County, and Mahanoy Area, in Schuylkill County, participated in the program held in courtroom one.
The program included remarks by Judge Steven R. Serfass. The students, totaling over 200, also viewed the jury orientation video, which all prospective jurors view when called to serve.
The program also included a mock trial conducted by mock trial teams from Jim Thorpe and Palmerton high schools. The case was a criminal matter in which a doctor was accused of illegally distributing drugs which led to the death of an individual.
As part of the trial, witnesses were called and questioned and then cross-examined by members of the two participating teams. A jury panel of 12 students were selected from among the six high schools attending the program.
After deliberation, the jury could not reach a verdict and a mistrial was declared.
District judges William J. Kissner of Palmerton and Eric M. Schrantz of Jim Thorpe presided over the mock trial.
The committee from the young lawyers division who were in charge of the program included Adam R. Weaver, Matthew Schnell and Matthew Motolla.
Sheri A. Ryan, executive director of the association, coordinated the program.
The bar association is headed by Michael S. Greek, chancellor; Cynthia Yurchak, fist vice chancellor; Jenny Cheng, second vice chancellor; Vincent Garvey Jr., treasurer; and Kim Gill, secretary.
