Junior high school students to focus on bullying in mock trial

Putting the stop to bullying has become a priority in schools everywhere. One group of junior high students, with the help of Western Michigan University Cooley Law School student mentors, is taking their message of anti-bullying to the Michigan Court of Appeals. On Thursday, May 28, Michigan Court of Appeals Judge Michael J. Riordan will preside over a mock trial which will be based on the topic of bullying and the harm it causes.

The trial will involve a scenario of one child taking another to court for emotional distress, defamation, and other causes. Sixth, seventh, and eight graders from Cornerstone Charter Schools' Washington-Parks Academy (WPA) in Redford will play the various courtroom roles such as defendant, plaintiff, lawyers, and witnesses.

Eight months ago, Erin McNeil, partner program administrator for Cornerstone, invited members of WMU-Cooley Law School's Black Law Students Association to mentor the junior high students and prepare them for the mock trial. The WPA students participating in the court case belong to the school's Judge Michael Riordan Law Club.

Published: Tue, May 26, 2015