Local students learn about judicial system on Law Day
May 10—Cass County students had the opportunity to learn about the American justice system Thursday while touring the Cass County courthouse and jail.
Over 600 students from all four are schools were expected to participate in during the day. Tours were led by local attorneys.
Andrew Miller, an attorney at Starr Austen & Miller, LLP led over 30 Lewis Cass fifth graders on a tour of the clerk's office, the front of the section of the jail and a visit to Superior Court 2.
The jail was perhaps the most exciting moment of the tour for the students. They were greeted by Sheriff Ed Schroeder before officers took them behind the scenes.
"I remember you from Red Ribbon Week," one student said as they moved past the sheriff, who shared a gentle smile and a fist bump with the girl.
Red Ribbon Week is a national drug-use prevention campaign that takes place in local schools during October.
"Some of the individuals residing here have been convicted of crimes," Miller told the students. "Others may be held here before they go to trial. Just because somebody is in here does not necessarily mean they have been convicted of a crime. It's the state's responsibility to prove that. So, let's be very respectful to the individuals who are here because they are owed our respect for a variety of reasons."
The students had no contact with inmates and remained near the front of the jail. They saw central command, a padded cell and a drunk tank.
"The jail is filled with good people who made bad choices," Shroder said. "Not everybody in here is guilty. Some are awaiting trial. Our job is to keep them safe while they are here. We don't decide who comes to jail, that's the courts' decision."
After the jail, the students returned to the courthouse and watch a few moments of a court session and then talked with Judge Lisa Swaim.
Lewis Cass teacher Rebecca Hinkle said she thought Law Day helped introduce students to how the judicial system works.
"A lot of them have never seen a jail cell before and I think that really impresses upon them that that could be a choice they make in their lives," she said.
Miller was adamant that every student had the potential to do any of the jobs they learned about during the tour.
"I enjoy the opportunity to help the kids understand that what goes on in a courthouse isn't a mystery, that they have a right to know what is going on in the courthouse," Miller said after the tour ended. "Also, I just want them to know there isn't anything particularly special about me or anyone who works in the courthouse. Each and every one of them has the capacity to do the jobs that we saw today.
Miller said he was impressed with the group of students he worked with, calling them very polite and a good group of kids.
Ella Moon and Rayleigh Gillem were two of the students who went through the tour. Gillem said she wasn't expecting the jail to look like it did, thinking she would instead see something that looked like it was from an older film or television show. But she said the experience was "more cool than scary."
What was the most important thing that Lea Malott learned from the tour?
"Not to go to jail," she said.
