Holmes County judge’s mock trial provides valued insight for Rush Run students

A very different type of scenario took place March 25 in the Holmes County Juvenile Courtroom in the courthouse at Millersburg, where a group of students and educators from Rush Run School near Baltic stopped by to experience a mock trial set up by Holmes County Juvenile and Probate Judge Thomas Lee.

Lee said the experience served to introduce the seventh grade and eighth grade students to the intricacies that take place in the courtroom, but also as an example of how easily young people can make one bad decision that can alter their life.

“My goal is to have this be a fun and informative event for your students,” Lee said. “It’s important for all our kids in the area to understand what takes place in our courts. I think one thing that is missing today is a lack of respect for the courts, and when citizens understand what it’s all about, they gain a better understanding. In addition, it can serve as a deterrent. We want kids to understand that this is serious, and their bad decisions can lead to some dire consequences.”

The courtroom proceedings were set up just like a real case trial. From the trial process with Holmes County assistant prosecutor Rob Hendrix and Craig Reynolds serving as the defense attorney to the closing arguments, Lee’s verdict and sentencing, Lee wanted it to be as real as possible for the students.

Hendrix said having the kids experience scenarios like this is important for educational purposes.

“Our hope is that these kids never come in and experience anything like this for real,” Hendrix said. “But it’s important for young people to experience what takes place in a courtroom experience, to see how it works in action. It can be an eye-opening experience.”

The made-up scenario saw Esther, a 15-year-old Amish girl, visiting Walmart with her friends Rachel and Anna. Esther wanted a new pair of red tennis shoes, but her parents told her they were not going to buy them.

Esther decided to steal the tennis shoes. Esther took the shoes into the bathroom, put them on and threw her old shoes away. Rachel and Anna stood at the bathroom door to warn Esther if anyone was coming into the bathroom.

Unfortunately for Esther, the undercover security guard at Walmart saw what she was doing. Esther was caught as she was leaving the store and has been charged with shoplifting.

Esther was played by Adrienne Lee, granddaughter of Judge Lee, who fashioned her defense with Hendrix outside as they tried to explain how Esther was simply returning to her car to get her wallet.

That story didn’t fly with Lee, although he did have one caveat prior to the mock trial.

“Rob, no matter how well you argue, you’re going to lose this case,” Lee told Hendrix with a laugh prior to the student’s arrival.

Following the proceeding, Judge Lee returned, and each participant provided a brief explanation of their roles and responsibilities including both attorneys; probation officers Dave Williams, Brodie Williams and Rachel Cornell, who was joined by her juvenile court therapy dog Marlee; bailiff Brad Conn; and Judge Lee.

Discussion centered around the responsibilities of each member of the court, and they spoke in detail about how the defendant (who was found guilty) would be treated.

Lee also focused on the consequences of making good and bad decisions and how lives can change in an instant when poor decisions are made.

“I love doing things like this in the community, talking to these kids to help them gain some insight,” Lee said. “Sometimes they have some really great questions, and it’s wonderful information for every young person to possess.”

The group reviewed the facts to make sure everyone understood what happened at Walmart and discussed whether Esther should have admitted to the police she was guilty.

Talk then turned to what happens in jail, types of counseling, probation activities and sentencing, and whether it would make a difference if this were Esther’s fifth time in court compared to her first. They also discussed her friends' role in the situation and the importance of the type of friends kids choose to have.

Near the end Conn had one student volunteer put on the ankle and wrist shackles juveniles who are transported must wear.

It all painted a good picture of what takes place in the courtroom.

Above all, Lee reiterated that while these are difficult situations, all the members of the juvenile court system care deeply about each young person who comes into their care, and the idea is to treat each with respect in hopes they will make better decisions in the future.