Ninety young people fought it out in front of magistrates as part of a contest.
Groups of 12- to 14-year-olds from across Cheshire were taking part in the 2014 Magistrates’ Court Mock Trial Competition.
They took on the roles of lawyers, witnesses, magistrates, court staff and a defendant in the 20th annual competition, run by the Citizenship Foundation in partnership with the Magistrates’ Association.
The students enacted a specially written case in which the defendant stood accused of dishonestly receiving a stolen bicycle.
Local magistrates, law students and other legal professionals help the teams prepare by giving information on the everyday workings of magistrates’ courts and hosting court visits.
Students may also take part in the court reporter and court artist competitions.
The Crewe courthouse local heat hosted six schools, including students from St Nicholas CE High and Hartford High in Northwich and Chester Catholic High.
The regional finals are held next month before the national final at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court in June.
Knutsford Academy pupils were the winners, with St Nicholas as runner up.
All the teams performed well in a closely fought competition.
