“Law and Order: SVU,” “Suits,” “Judge Judy;” these iconic TV shows all have one thing in common – the law. The drama and amazement of the law makes it an entertainment gold mine that attracts audiences, but the real practice of law is much different.
On April 1st, the long arm of the law reached to Elkhorn High, as the Nebraska Supreme Court convened in the auditorium. Each year, the Court visits high schools across the state in order to give students a realistic understanding of how the law works. Students get to watch the court hear actual appellate cases, and when the session ends, the justices answer students’ questions.
“The Supreme Court heard two cases where lawyers from both sides had 10 minutes to state their case in an attempt to get the judges to overrule a decision that has already been made in the district court,” Mock Trial Sponsor Jen Hadley said. “Students were able to see how a courtroom works.”
This outreach program is one way students can gain career experience in law or in political science, and was open to Mock Trial members, AP Government students, and all juniors. Mock Trial members were also given the opportunity to become student ambassadors.
“Being a student ambassador was really nice. When the judges arrived we got to show them where everything was,” senior Mock Trial member Victoria Kaipust said. “They shook all of our hands and talked to us about our experience in Mock Trial. It was nice that they really cared.”
The students who attended got face-to-face exposure with the court system, giving them a better understanding of the law. This was especially true for senior Mock Trial member, Eliana Cain, who was selected as the Student Bailiff.
“I read the court cry, helped set up, kept track of timing, and announced the timing questions to the Chief Justice,” Cain said. “It gave me great insight into government on the state level.”
Cain said her experience will help build a strong foundation about the law before she ventures into college, where she plans to major in Political Science.
While TV shows portray law as a drama-ridden, objection-filled program, law’s reality involves real people and real policies. The Nebraska State Supreme Court visit gave all attendees a real example of that.
“It really is different from the courts you see on TV,” Hadley said. “We really don’t have a lot of experience seeing things like this, so being able to see it in our very own school is such a great experience for us.”
