Student Mock Trials Held at Pensacola Virginia College Campus
Posted: Monday, June 28, 2010
The LGA 1800 (Criminal Law) class at Virginia College in Pensacola, Florida, recently participated in two mock trials as a class project as part of the school's Paralegal Studies program. Officer Dennis Salon with the Pensacola Police Department was the guest speaker, and he educated the students on police reporting procedures. John Booth, a local attorney, assisted the students by presenting them with a case and the overall trial process. The students researched the issue and prepared for the trial presentation. The preparation included opening statements, closing statements, witness statements, impeaching a witness, and presenting the case before Paralegal Studies adjunct instructor Dan Turberville, who is a retired local judge.
The second case was an administrative hearing. The students participated in the trial procedure before a three-judge panel: Dan Turberville, Cheryl B. Jaye and John Booth. The students gained a great deal of real-world experience preparing for this assignment and, according to the Virginia College instructional staff, did an excellent job.