Mohawk students spread SEED of justice

Sparta - Students in the Mohawk Avenue Sparta Educational Enrichment Development (SEED) program recently participated in a mock trial at the Sparta Township Courtroom at the municipal building. The event, coordinated by Morgan Bleakley, Mohawk Avenue teacher, was designed to simulate an actual court-room trial. The activity linked classroom lessons with the real world. “Constructing a mock trial shows students how to examine legal issues in an analytical way,” said Bleakley. “Mock trials help students understand how the U.S. constitutional system of justice works, how law resolves conflict and how law balances the rights of the group and the rights of the individual in the group, and how the law applies to everyone equally. Students also gain invaluable public speaking experience.” Among those who attended the mock trial were Judge John Mulhern, Prosecutor Andrew Fraser, Assistant Prosecutor Lauren McFadden, Public Defender Daniel Colfax and Sparta Police Officer Sue Jesperson. The adults offered advice and guidance during the trials.