KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany - The judge ordered the courtroom into session as the trial of Luke Simmons began. Simmons, a Kaiserslautern American Middle School student, was accused of illegally downloading music by a major corporation.
The trial was unique because the defendant is a 6th grader. Then again, so are the judge, the prosecutor, the defense attorney and the jury.
The 6th grade research class at the school spent nine weeks researching their cases and how the law applies to illegal downloading. Several members of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command Staff Judge Advocate's Office helped with planning the case and answered students' questions after the trial.
"Mrs. (Conchita) Dunn originated the idea and came up with the case," said David Dittmer, a teacher at Kaiserslautern American Middle School, whose class was holding the mock trial. "This has been an absolute pleasure, having the colonel (Col. Claes Lewenhaupt) come in with his staff and educate them about the law."
Dunn, a court reporter with the 21st TSC SJA, has volunteered with area schools during Law Day since 2003.
"With this one, I was astounded at how well they did. It was really wonderful to watch," she said.
Capt. Joshua Zell, a lawyer with the 21st TSC SJA, held a question and answer period after the trial concluded and also talked about the different jobs involved in a courtroom case.
"I was hoping to give them an idea about the different jobs and also give them an idea that the law can apply to them as in the case of illegal downloading," he said.
The mock trial was part of a series of events sponsored by the 21st TSC SJA in conjunction with Law Day. Dunn is scheduled to help with another mock trial at one of the Ramstein schools, and there was a Law Day essay contest at the high school.
On a side note, Simmons was acquitted of all charges.
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