Andrew High School students in Jessica Koleno's Business Law class performed a mock trial in front of attorney and arbitrator Paul Barbahen from O'Brien and Barbahen Law.
In this particular mock trial, the plaintiff was suing 2 defendants--his fellow student/bully and his local high school school board--in a civil lawsuit for the damages caused by bullying and the negligence the school assumed for allowing the bullying to occur.
Students in the class choose their roles for the mock trial (lawyers, paralegals, and witnesses) for the plaintiff and defense sides. Each team spent 10 days preparing and rehearsing their parts for the mock trial.
After performing, Dr. Barbahen found in favor of the plaintiff with regards to the damages the fellow student/bully caused, but in favor of the school board/defendant with regards to negligence. Both sides argued their case well and learned the process and procedure of a civil court case.
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