PBCBA ' s Law Related Education Committee ' s
Mock Trial at U . B . Kinsey / Palmview Elementary School of the Arts
On May 19 , 2023 , Bart Simpson was convicted of stealing Butterfingers from his friend Milhouse by a jury of his peers--Dr . Lavinia Draper ’ s 3rd grade class at U . B . Kinsey / Palmview Elementary School of the Arts in West Palm Beach . ( Technically , the jury hung 2-1 .)
With assistance from Judge Stephanie Tew and a panel of attorneys from the Law Related Education Committee of the Palm Beach County Bar Association , the students played all the roles in this mock trial : courtroom officer , judge , witnesses , prosecution and defense attorneys , court reporter , jury , and--of course--Bart .
In preparing for their roles in the mock trial , Dr . Draper ’ s 3rd graders learned about how trials operate and about the legal system in general . After the trial , the students were able to ask the panel about their cases , their education and backgrounds , why they decided to become lawyers and the requirements to become a lawyer .
The Law Related Education Committee is always looking for people to assist with events such as these , with schools , libraries , civic groups , and other audiences . If you are interested , please contact John Webber at jcw @ bclmr . com .