Attorneys hold mock trials

Capt. Fred Lewis, 22nd Air Refueling Wing Judge Advocate assistant staff judge advocate, left, argues against a case presented by Capt. James Gutzman, 22nd ARW JA assistant staff judge advocate, middle, to practical law students of Wichita High School East May 3, 2012, Wichita, Kan. Lewis and Gutzman were at the school to educate the students about the importance of the law, justice, fairness and due process. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jose L. Leon)

Attorneys hold mock trials

Capt. James Gutzman, 22nd Air Refueling Wing Judge Advocate assistant staff judge advocate, right, argues his case to practical law students of Wichita High School East May 3, 2012, Wichita, Kan. Gutzman was participating in a moot court for Law Day, held annually to educate about the justice system. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jose L. Leon)

Attorneys hold mock trials

Published May 9, 2012
By Airman 1st Class Jose L. Leon
22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- Airmen from the 22nd Air Refueling Wing Judge Advocate held mock trials at two local high schools for Law Day on May 1 and 3, 2012.

Law Day is a nationwide event held annually during May by lawyers from different areas of the justice department to get out into the community and educate people about the importance of the law, justice, fairness and due process.

Five attorneys presented oral arguments to students at Wichita High School East and Andover High School with two paralegals who shared their role on base.

"An event like this is really great for McConnell and the high schools," said Capt. Jeff Coleman, 22nd ARW JA civil law chief. "One student from Andover said she wanted to be a lawyer just based on seeing what lawyers do and how they can argue for their client."

Coleman reached out to school government and pre-law teachers to put this event together.

"Seeing real attorneys defend their side of the case and the extra information that was given to us about civilian law and military law was interesting," said Crystal Abasolo, WHSE business, practical law and financial literacy instructor. "The students really enjoyed having the lawyers here presenting their case."

About 150 students served as Supreme Court associate justices.

As the associate justices, the students were encouraged to interrupt the attorney's arguments with questions to have them explain their reasoning in greater depth or pull out different arguments.

"They paid attention and asked really good questions," said Coleman. "They really appreciated us being there and it educates high schoolers on the law."