By By LYDIA GRIMES Feature Reporter
Law Day in Escambia County was held May 6 and 7, 2004 at the Escambia County Courthouse.
This is a program in which high school seniors of all five high schools in the county participate in the trial of an actual court case in the Circuit Court of Escambia County, Ala.
They were not mock trials but actual trials involving official prosecutions defended by persons who are actually charged with the offenses tried.
The jury of each day and each trial were composed of high school seniors. They determined the outcome of the cases.
Thursday, May 6, the Honorable Robert Bernard Harwood Jr., Associate Justice of the Supreme Court was the guest speaker and the Honorable Lyn Smart, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court was the guest speaker on Friday, May 7.
This is probably the most unique Law Day program in the nation.
It has won national honors by the American Bar Association and recognition by the Alabama State Bar.
Students were presented with a case of attempted assault, first degree and a case of unlawful possession of a controlled substance, giving them first hand knowledge of how the court system works.
Seniors from W.S. Neal High School, Flomaton High School, Escambia Academy, T.R. Miller High School and Escambia County High School participated in the event.