About Dawson County news. (Dawsonville, Georgia) 2015-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 25, 2019)
Wednesday, December 25,2019 dawsonnews.com I DAWSON COUNTY NEWS I 5B The DCHS FFA participated in the state FFA dairy judging contest held at ABAC College on Dec. 13-14. The students had to take a basic knowledge written exam and perform a team activity. The students had to evaluate four groups of dairy cattle for dairy soundness and present oral reasons on their placings. The team placed 10th overall out of 24 teams. They were the only team to score a perfect score on their team activity. Photo for the Dawson County News Students gain real world experience in mock trial By Jessica Taylor jtaylor@dawsonnews.com Judge Ben McGinnis banged the gavel and asked for order in the court after the verdict was read. Defendant Jacob Sheffield was found not guilty of stealing a red 2004 Corvette from the plaintiff, Rylee Edgil. Then moments later, the bell rang and it was time for courtroom to be dis mantled and for its inhab itants to go to their next class of the day. It was an exciting morn ing for Criminal Justice teacher Jeff Perry’s stu dents as they suited up in their best courtroom attire on Dec. 12 to conduct a mock trial inside the College and Career Academy. A semester’s worth of information in the Criminal Justice Essentials course all cul minated into mock trials performed by each of Perry’s classes at the end of the fall 2019 semester. “We learn about all the roles of the court, the dif ferent occupations and trying to get them interest ed,” Perry said. “They choose which part that they want to do based on what they learn over this course.” The students learned a courtroom is much more than just a judge and jury. There are bailiffs, court reporters, prosecutors, defense attorneys, plain tiffs, defendants, witness es and clerks. Perry said he wanted his students to have a mock trial to give them as close to the real world experi ence possible to help explain the complicated criminal justice system. “We’ve been practicing for two weeks just trying to get ready for it,” said sophomore Kenna LeBaron who assumed the role of prosecutor. “Every day in class we’ve gone over it. We’ve gone through it, but today was the first time we took the jury outside and they voted on it.” “It was all leading up to this right here so it was about two and a half weeks when we started with the basic premise and then it ends with the final verdict,” Perry said. The final verdict wasn’t good news for LeBaron and Kylee Edgil, who played the role of victim Photos by Jessica Taylor Dawson County News District Attorney Kenna LeBaron and plaintiff Rylee Edgil object the jury's ruling to Criminal Justice teacher Jeff Perry on Dec. 12 during a mock trial performed by his students at Dawson County High School. The jury ruled in favor of the defense during the trial involving a stolen Corvette. in the scripted scenario. The jury ruled in favor of the defense. “It was coerced,” Edgil said of the verdict. “I was definitely a little upset about it because I think that we definitely proved our point,” LeBaron added. Though the sophomores were disappointed that they didn’t win their case, being able to get out of the classroom and apply their knowledge in a courtroom setting helped reinforce the work that goes into the careers they have chosen to pursue. “It’s really cool for the people who are taking this class that see a future career down this path way,” Edgil said. "’For me, I want to go into criminol ogy and further that career pathway.” LeBaron, who has watched crime shows on TV since she was a little girl, has always wanted to pursue a career as an attor ney and reflected on the work she put into her role in the mock trial. “Having all the informa tion together I think was a big part of it because it’s a lot to know,” LeBaron said. “I mean, you see it on TV and it’s fun, but you don’t realize how much you really have to know when going into it.” Being a prosecutor is more than preparing opening and closing state ments and asking wit nesses a few questions. The two and a half weeks long project showed LeBaron that there is a lot of preparation that goes into a trial from gathering evidence to finding char acter witnesses and mem orizing facts - usually for multiple cases at Judge Ben McGinnis presides over his peers in a mock trial conduct ed by students at Dawson County High School. one time. “I love that and it’s def initely something I want to go into,” LeBaron said. “It’s looking at the work that goes into it and just learning that, especially if you want to win cases, you have to put in the effort.” The hard work paid off as Perry said he was very pleased with how his stu dents handled the mock trial. Next semester dur ing his Criminal Investigations course, Perry plans to hold mock crime scenes to conclude the third and final class of the Criminal Justice path way at the College and Career Academy. It’s another hands-on experi ence his students are already looking forward to when the spring semes ter begins. “Mr. Perry is one of my favorite teachers. He’s so funny. He’s so much fun to be around,” Edgil said. “It’s really cool to hear his stories and everything because it just inspires me even more.” Criminal Justice teacher Jeff Perry's second level Criminal Justice Essentials class poses after performing a mock trial at the College and Career Academy at Dawson County High School. Join us as we savor the sights, sounds, & flavors of Charleston! 3 day/2 Night - All Inclusive Trip Repeat Customers receive a gift! What is included: • Harbor and Fort Sumter Tour • Private Charleston City and Gullah Tour • Magnolia Plantation & Garden Tram and Mansion Tour • Shopping at Historic Charleston City Market • 2 Night Accommodations • 2 dinners, 2 breakfasts and 3 lunches • Luxury Motor Coach • Wine Reception • All Gratuities Limited Space, Reserve Today! 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