St. Mary-of-the-Woods College Contact: Kathryn L. Myers, Paralegal Studies Coordinator St. Mary-of-the-Woods College E-mail: kmyers@swmc.edu (a winner of the 1998 Law Day Activity Awards) Project Description: Law Day at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College allows students the rare opportunity to watch the Indiana State Appellate Court at work. Each spring, the three appellate judges travel to the college campus, 70 miles west of Indianapolis, to hear oral arguments on a case before the court. Middle school and high school students are invited to attend the court session. In addition, representatives of the local Sheriff's Department and a county court judge lead discussion groups. Finally, students participate as jury members in a mock trial staged by college paralegal students. Sponsoring Entity: Indiana Legal Assistants at the Woods (INLAW) with SMWC Paralegal Studies Program Volunteers: 15 paralegal students organize the day's events. People Benefiting: Approximately 525 middle and high school students come from six different schools (including one in Illinois) within a one-hour radius of the college. Best Things about This Project: The appellate judges, who have been coming to SMWC for 15 years, look for a case that would be interesting to students. On March 24, 1998, they heard arguments at the college on the constitutionality of a new Indiana law which extended sentences to those involved in gang-related crimes. A month later, the court's opinion was made available to the students who had witnessed the oral arguments. Students have the opportunity to ask the appellate judges any questions (except about the case they just heard) during a robes-off cracker barrel session. Round table discussions allow students to question officers and a local judge on constitutional issues, such as searching student lockers or what rights exist in a traffic stop. Paralegal students go all out creating sets and costumes for the mock trial. They use the visiting students as the jury pool, and after voir dire, select 12. Secret of Success: "You need to prepare a quality program so schools can justify having their students attend. Preparation must begin early in the school year before teachers have utilized all of their time out of school." How-to Advice: "In January, after looking at spring break schedules, we get a date from the court. The appellate judges enjoy coming and if I don't call them by January, they call us!" What We Learned to Improve Project: "We brainstorm right after the program is over and beginning planning for the next year. We add something new every year to keep the program fresh." Cost: $200 to copy program and provide juice & coffee. Students pay for their own lunch in the cafeteria. Sample Programs Home | By Audience | By Location | By Sponsoring Organization