Students get hands-on legal experience
District Judges William J. Kissner, left. and Eric M. Schrantz listen to testimony from Jim Thorpe High School’s Katie Conway, portraying the plaintiff Silva Morel, during her questioning from her lawyer, Emilio Mercado. Scan this photo with the Prindeo app to see a gallery. BOB FORD/TIMES NEWS
The team from Palmerton, are, from left Ben Serfass, Jacob Martinez and Victoria Young, sit at the defense table.
Jim Thorpe High School students Emilio Mercado and Emma Gavornik go over paperwork at the plaintiff’s table during a mock trial in the Carbon County Courthouse.
The Carbon County Bar Association, through its young lawyers division, conducted its annual Law Day program Monday in courtroom 1 of the courthouse in Jim Thorpe.
The annual program included students from area high schools viewing the county court’s jury orientation video program that is shown during every jury selection process. The students also heard remarks and were able to ask questions about the court system by the three sitting judges, President Judge Roger N. Nanovic II and judges Steven R. Serfass and Joseph J. Matika.
A mock trial was also conducted by the students, with mock trial teams from Jim Thorpe and Palmerton high schools.
The mock trial for 2018 was a civil matter in which an employee claimed wrongful termination by her employer.
The jury panel was composed of students from Jim Thorpe, Palmerton, Lehighton, Weatherly and Marian Catholic high schools.
After hearing witnesses from both sides, opening and closing arguments of the mock trial teams, and the law explained to them by the presiding judges, the jury then deliberated. Their decision: Was dismissing the employee a retaliation against a whistleblower to cover up a bribe or a business decision to cut ties with an unreliable employee?
After deliberating, the jury returned to the courtroom and ruled in favor of the discharged employee.
District judges William J. Kissner of Palmerton and Eric M. Schrantz of Jim Thorpe presided over the trial.
The program chairmen from the young lawyers division of the bar association were Adam R. Weaver, Matthew Schnell and Matthew Mottola, who were assisted by Sheri A. Ryan, executive director of the bar association.
