Uintah County Contact: G. A. Petry Judge Uintah County Justice Court 147 E. Main Vernal, UT 84078 E-mail: Jpetry@co.uintah.ut.us Uintah County Law Day 2002 Activity Summary: In its first-ever Law Day celebration, the court conducted an ambitious program of mock trials for grade school students and adults. Other parts of the program included newspaper articles by the judge providing information and answering questions, and an open house and "ask the judge" program. The court also sponsored an art contest and a presentation by the Uintah County Sheriff's Office. Plans are underway to expand Law Day next year into the government and criminal justice courses of the high school. Activity Narrative: Mock Trial The mock trial presented illustrated important principles of constitutional rights to the audience, including the prosecution's burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt, right against self-incrimination, right to confront and cross-examine witnesses. The audience for two trials consisted of students from a local 2nd grade and 5th grade school. The evening trial was presented to the public. There were approximately 260 students at the two trials during the day and about 12 people at the evening session. Newspaper Articles Our weekly newspaper, The Vernal Express, has been publishing articles written by Judge Petry each week since March 2002. They include information for the public about criminal laws and procedures as well as an answer to the "question of the week" submitted by a member of the public. As Law Day approached, the focus of Judge Petry's column (named "Bench Press") was on Law Day origins, plans for Uintah County's Law Day, and reprints of the suggested articles about 2002's Law Day theme made available on the ABA website. Open House & 'Ask the Judge' During these sessions, the general public posed numerous questions about general legal principles to Judge Petry. Brochures listing law-related materials and websites at the County library were available. Theme Highlighted/Outreach/Partnership The court sponsored an art contest on the Law Day 2002 theme. Ninety-two entries were received. Judges from three different county offices selected twelve winners. Winning entries were matted, framed, and hung in the courtroom with the first name and grade of each artist. Wal-Mart contributed $75 to help offset the cost of the matting and framing. Each student submitting an entry received a certificate and Law Day button. Besides seeing their art on display in the courtroom, winners received Law Day water bottles, certificates, and Law Day buttons. Several of the winning students have subsequently brought their parents to the courtroom (when court is not in session) to see their artwork. The D.A.R.E. officer from the Uintah County Sheriff's Office was also on hand to demonstrate his drug-dog in action and answer questions about illegal substances. Local media were happy to help the court promote the event. Numerous radio announcements prior to, during, and after Law Day were broadcast. The newspaper also published the entry form and rules for the art contest. Both the radio and newspaper had reporters on hand during the mock trials the students attended. Future Opportunities Plans are already underway for next year's Law Day. The two schools attending the trials requested to be invited again next year. There are plans for Judge Petry to speak to the high school's government and criminal justice classes. The Vernal Express is continuing to publish the Judge's weekly Bench Press articles, and more people are submitting questions to be answered by Judge Petry. Sample Programs Home | By Audience | By Location | By Sponsoring Organization