Sumner County Bar Association, KS Contact: Shari R. L. Willis, Law Day Chairperson Sumner County Bar Association 303 South Elm, Wellington, KS 67152 Email: swillis@mtsqh.com This program was a winner of the 1999 Law Day Activity Awards. Activity Summary: Though small in number (having fewer than 30 members), the Sumner County Bar Association taught many Sumner County students about the American Justice system and this country’s quest for equality. The 1999 Law Day program included a Speaker’s Bureau which gave presentations to all interested Sumner County High Schools, a Poster contest open to all Wellington, KS grade school students, and a South Park-theme mock trial. The week of activities brought rave reviews from all participants, lawyers and children alike. Activity Narrative: The Sumner County Bar Association’s “1999 Law Week” ran from April 30 - May 7, 1999. Though small (only 29 members), the Association had lofty goals for the celebration. In the face of tornado’s (one which hit a bar member’s home) and windstorms (which “stole” many poster-contest entries displayed just inside the door of local stores), the group completed three of its four slated activities. (The 6th Grade mediation demonstration planned for May 5, 1999 had to be canceled due to a last-minute emergency.) The Law Day Poster Contest was open to Wellington grade school and junior high students. Students were asked to create posters depicting the theme “Celebrate Your Freedom: The Quest for Equality” using any medium. The posters were wonderful, carrying messages including wheelchair accessibility, desegregation, race equality, and women’s suffrage: “Kennedy School - we’re all the same here.” -- Caption on a 2nd grade boy’s poster depicting his school and fellow students of all races, genders, and abilities. “I can play on an all boys’ team.” -- Caption on a first grade girl’s poster depicting a girl on a baseball field with boys. The posters judged in various age categories by bar members, were displayed in area storefronts with signs indicating they were part of the Law Week celebration. On May 11, 1999, awards and prizes from area merchants were presented to finalists. Teachers, school officials, school board members, citizens and children praised the Bar for hosting the event. Teachers found that the event presented an opportunity to discuss equality with students during Law Week as well as throughout the remainder of the school year, and asked that the Bar make it an annual event. It is wonderful to see how much children understand about how advances in the law bring about equality. The Speaker’s Bureau received similar praise from educators and students. Offers were extended to all high schools in the county to have speakers visit to discuss the law’s impact on equality as well as other legal topics. Most schools scheduled visits with bar members for various days during Law Week. Topics, specifically geared towards the need of the particular class, ranged from Title IX to racially motivated peremptory strikes at trial. An interchange of ideas occurred at some schools with children asking questions and offering suggestions on how the law should change to further promote equality. Though the two Mock Trials were held on May 7, 1999, preparation for them began much earlier. A South Park theme was selected for the Wellington 9th graders who would be participating. The case, State v. Mrs. Crabtree, was tried by student attorneys (paired with bar members) to a student jury. Students also acted as bailiffs and witnesses, while bar members presided as judges. Prior to trial, participants were given packets pertinent to their roles. Jurors were given “profiles” and were asked to complete and return jury questionnaires. Witnesses were given their interviews or recorded statements and possible inconsistent trial testimony. Prosecuting attorneys were given files containing all information obtained by the police, jury returns, and other miscellaneous information. Defense attorneys received files containing the prosecution information and recorded statements taken by their office. The trials, held in the Sumner County Courthouse, included voir dire, opening statements, witness examination and cross examination, closing arguments, jury instructions and deliberations. Many of the children had fun with their roles, some donning costumes while others created wonderful plot twists. Everyone enjoyed watching Chef recant his former testimony to the horror of the prosecution, and listening to Mrs. Crabtree’s “I wasn’t drunk, I am a diabetic and was in insulin shock” defense. Ultimately, both the morning and afternoon juries found Mrs. Crabtree guilty of driving under the influence and involuntary manslaughter, but not guilty of aggravated robbery and felony murder. Everyone involved had a great time while gaining a true understanding of the workings of the law. The events hosted as a part of this year’s Law Week celebration enabled the Sumner County Bar Association to reach out to the community, teaching children about the legal process and the advancements made in this country as a result of the judicial system. In this age of lawyer bashing it is especially important to highlight the good that comes from our profession. Sumner County is proud of its attorneys and the positive impact they have upon the community. Sample Programs Home | By Audience | By Location | By Sponsoring Organization