Goldilocks v. Three Bears: mock trial teaches students ins and outs of legal system
FALL RIVER — “Please stand and raise your right paw.”
A mock trial aimed at helping young students understand the workings of the legal system put a spin on a familiar tale, with Goldilocks and the eponymous three bears facing off in a courtroom.
“It’s just a good way for the kids to learn, but in an arts and performance setting,” said Sandy Dennis, co-executive director of Creative Arts Network, Inc., which organized the event. "I think even the adults are learning something."
Local attorneys played all the characters from the classic story along with lawyers for each side, complete with costumes and hammed up acting.
"I said, somebody's been eating my porridge! And then I growled, like this: grrrrrr," said city administrator Seth Aitken, as he took the stand as Papa Bear.
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Students in third through eighth grade from the nearby Mastery School of Independent Learning served as jury members, tasked with deciding whether Mama Bear, Papa Bear and Baby Bear — played by Rene Brown, Aitken and Sharon Sullivan-Puccini, respectively, were in the right or if Goldilocks, played by attorney Julie Lynch, had truly been welcome in their cottage because the door was open, as she claimed.
The mock trial took place in Fall River’s former district courthouse on Rock Street. Now, it’s the site for Greater Fall River RE-CREATION.
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Retired presiding New Bedford District Court Judge Bernadette Sabra was back on the bench to oversee the proceedings.
She explained to the students that it would be their job to decide which witnesses to believe and what evidence is credible. Hopefully, she said, they would realize the powerful role that juries of regular Massachusetts residents play in real court cases.
“That’s exactly what jurors do in this Commonwealth every single day, sometimes in small matters and sometimes in very serious matters,” she said. “We all come together under the same system and we’re celebrating that today.”
After walking through many of the typical parts of a trial — opening and closing statements, lawyers interviewing those involved, evidence being introduced — three juries of six students each deliberated separately before returning their verdicts. Two found her guilty, one not guilty.
“It’s a fun, fun event, and the best part is the kids,” said Dennis. “They take it seriously but they have fun.”
Audrey Cooney can be reached at acooney@heraldnews.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Herald News today.
This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Mock trial teachers Fall River students ins and outs of legal system
