During a case in front of Genesee County Circuit Court Judge Mark Latchana on May 1, Latchana issued a quick reminder to counsel about how to properly ask to consult with their co-counsel in the midst of the proceedings. A small procedural reminder from a judge isn’t exactly out of the ordinary … other than the attorneys he was speaking to were high school students.
Students interested in law from International Academy of Flint, Flint Cultural Center Academy, Powers Catholic, and Lake Fenton high schools had the opportunity to participate in mock trials in front of real judges, and receive coaching from working attorneys, during the Genesee County Bar Association’s annual Law Day celebration on May 1. Law Day is a national recognition celebrated since the 1950s and designed to commemorate the rule of law and foster a deeper understanding of the legal system, court proceedings, and the responsibilities of citizenship.
The Genesee County Bar Association has previously done mock trials as a part of local law day festivities, but they’d paused during the pandemic before returning this year. They provide a chance for students to research elements of cases and argue them in front of a real judge. Latchana and Genesee County Probate Court Judge Ariana Heath heard cases, with students playing roles as prosecutors and defense attorneys, witnesses who took the stand, and members of juries. The mock trials allowed students to see firsthand what court proceedings look like and also to get real feedback directly from judges and other legal professionals as well as elected officials and government employees in Genesee County. They were also able to receive guidance from attorneys, in addition to their teachers, to help prepare them for arguing their cases.
“I was proud one of our students raised their hand and asked (Latchana) how jury selection worked,” said Chris Kidd, assistant principal and athletic director at FCCA, who also leads the student Law Club. “They wanted to know how that process worked, and the judge explained that to them, which was great. I think everybody that was here today that worked with us did a phenomenal job.”
Part of the learning experience for students was simply gaining confidence in their surroundings. It’s one thing to prepare for a case, but it’s another to argue it live in a real courtroom in front of a real judge. Imani Younger, a 10th grader at FCCA, acted as a prosecuting attorney during a case that included accusations of driving under the influence and an accident that resulted in a death. The defense attorneys from Powers Catholic had an aggressive approach defending their client.
“I kinda had ‘expect the unexpected’ in my head the whole time. The other attorneys, the defense attorneys, were very powerful with their statements, so that kinda threw me off at first,” said Younger, who is interested in studying law and hopes to go to Stanford Law School someday. “But as we got further in the case, I adjusted to it, and it started to become more fun. They (Powers) had great attorneys, they knew what they were doing. It was really fun.”
Her co-prosecutor, Camila Jordan, said that even though they’d done a lot of preparation, actually getting in the courtroom created pressure.
“It was a little nerve-wracking,” said Jordan, also a 10th grader. “I liked it, I wanted to do it, but it was hard not knowing the exact rules because it’s very precise, and I didn’t want to accidentally mess anything up. It was definitely one of the harder things (I’ve done), but I did really like it because I enjoy law and I want to be a lawyer.”
Kidd, who had previously been a part of the Law Club when he worked at Powers Catholic, said that a valuable part of the mock trial experience is providing students with the chance to work through those nerves and think on their feet during stressful situations.
“I was very excited for our kids,” Kidd said. “They were nervous, you could tell. But that’s part of what we’re supposed to provide to them is an opportunity to get over the fear of being in a courtroom, and to have an opportunity to excel. I was really proud of our kids today. I think it’s really important for students to not be intimidated to go into a courtroom if they have to basically go in front of a judge for anything. I wanted them to feel comfortable that they knew how the process worked.”
During a lunchtime presentation, students also had the chance to hear from other legal professionals and elected officials. Dale Weighill, chair of the Genesee County Board of Commissioners, and Genesee County Clerk Dominique Clemons, encouraged students to continue participating in political processes.
“You’re going to make good lawyers someday, and I appreciate your interest in the rule of law,” Weighill told the students. “The rule of law is incredibly important, and most people don’t think about it on a day-to-day basis. But when the rule of law is undermined or attacked, or when we separate the Constitution from reality, or invest in education, the country can get in some trouble. The only way to keep our democracy is through programs like this.”
Clemons spoke about his experiences as the first African American county clerk in Genesee County history, the youngest clerk in the state of Michigan, and first openly LGBTQ+ clerk in the history of the state of Michigan, and how it is important to elect individuals to office who are responsive to the needs of everyone in their constituencies and understand the legal responsibilities that come with holding elected office.
“Representation matters, it’s important the folks we elect represent our communities,” Clemons said. “Every U.S. citizen has the same rights and responsibilities. No person, no matter what office they hold, is more important than the rule of law.”
Other Law Day festivities included a coloring contest with submissions from second and third graders at Grand Blanc Bobcat Innovation Center, International Academy of Flint, Richfield Early Learning School, and Richfield Public School Academy displayed in the Genesee County Courthouse throughout May and a proclamation made on a motion of Chief Judge David J. Newblatt and signed by all circuit and probate court judges honoring Law Day and acknowledging its importance during this 250th Anniversary of the United States. Several local municipalities also made official proclamations in honor of Law Day: Genesee County Board of Commissioners, city of Flint, Flint City Council, Fenton Township, Flint Township, and Montrose Township.
Newblatt, retired Judge Duncan Beagle, and Genesee County Bar Association President Elias J. Fanous also spoke, encouraging the dozens of students in attendance to consider careers in law. Newblatt noted in his remarks that a consistent thing that happens in courtrooms is when jurors have the chance to actually sit through a trial and learn the thoroughness and detail of court proceedings they often come away with new understanding or appreciation for legal processes that they otherwise wouldn’t have been exposed to. He said he hopes the students participating in mock trials also gained similar insights.
“You’ve just gone through this Law Day program and hope it has given you a similar appreciation,” Newblatt said, also asking how many students were considering going to law school someday. “Once you graduate from law school, you can become a law clerk, and we need law clerks. So I appreciate all of your participation today.”
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