On Friday, May 6th, the first live elementary school mock trial competition took place at the Concord District Court. Fifth and sixth graders from Hopkinton Maple Street and Alton Central schools used the case developed for the NHBA Mock Trial Competition for high school and middle school students that concluded in April.

Attorney Don Hebert confers with Hopkinton students Nina Peluso, Rachel Salzberg, Michayla Belson and Tucker Gask II.

The mock case involves First Amendment rights as the plaintiff, "Pat Smith" brought suit against Old Man of the Mountain School District for violating her free speech rights by sending her home for wearing "inappropriate" attire-a shirt having on what some might consider vulgar or obscene language directed at President Bush. This action resulted in Pat's missing a very important soccer game, one which might have brought her a college scholarship.

In one courtroom, a defense team from Hopkinton faced the plaintiff's team from Alton, while in the other courtroom Alton's defense team faced Hopkinton students arguing the plaintiff's case. Attorneys Seth Shortlidge, of Gallagher, Callahan & Gartrell, Concord, Don Hebert of Hebert & Uchida, Concord and Steven Sacks of NEA New Hampshire coached the teams, spending time in their classrooms and helping them to understand the issues at stake.

Volunteering as judges for the event were attorneys, Julee Flood, NH Supreme Court; Kenneth C. Boucher, Upton & Hatfield; Jennifer A. Eber, Orr & Reno; Heather Logan, NH Bar Association; Charles S. Temple, Pierce Law; and Sabrina Segal, a Pierce law student. The judges encouraged the teams with their high praise, saying that they felt that the two schools had done work comparable to the middle schools and even the high schools.

Maple Street School in Hopkinton won the event, but both schools made an excellent showing. Several of the students said they wanted to be lawyers when they became adults.

Maple Street students competing were: Katie Kissinger, Olivia Wheat, Maria Ewing, Sophie Kupper, Betty Wallingford and Aaron Beckwith for the plaintiff and Nina Peluso, Rachel Salzberg, Michayla Belson and Tucker Gask II for the defense. Students from Alton Bay participating were: Eric Duca, Josh Snell, Carter Golden, Spencer Goossens, Fallon Rouleau, Greg Tinkham and witnesses Stephanie Burke, Lauretta Tremblay and Michelle Johnson.

"The growth of the Mock Trial program validates the important role of the Bar and its members in supporting law-related education," said Valenda Morrissette, the Bar Association's LRE Coordinator. "By providing Mock Trial and other civic engagement and education opportunities to school-age children, we are promoting a greater understanding of and appreciation for the law, court procedures and the American judicial system as well as their rights and obligations as citizens."

"This year there was an increased participation in all the LRE programs, although the Mock Trial competitions drew the most participants and created the most spectator excitement," she added.

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