PUPILS from Chester Catholic High School were in court recently.
The youngsters took part in a mock trial competition at Crewe Magistrates Court, which helps young people develop their understanding of criminal law, the criminal justice system and how courts work.
The students played roles such as defence and prosecution councils, magistrates, defendants and witnesses. They used witness statements designed to prepare the prosecution and defence for a specially written criminal case. Participants had to show their ability to present evidence based on the information given to them.
As well as giving young people an insight into how the justice system works it also provided the opportunity of building bridges between citizens, legal institutions, magistrates and the legal professionals.
The students were pitted against representatives from Hartford High School, Knutsford Academy, Poynton High School, Calday Grammar School, Wirral and Brine Leas School, Nantwich.
After being marked by a panel of three court professionals, this year’s winner was Poynton High School who will go forward to the next round. The national finals will be held in Birmingham in June.
All students were awarded a commemorative medal and scroll by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant Ms Joelle Warren, mayor of Cheshire East George Walton, mayor of Crewe Margaret Martin and Keith Townend, justices clerk for Cheshire and Merseyside.
The competition was organised by Sandy Boyle, deputy chairman of the Crewe Bench on behalf of the Citizenship Foundation, HM Court Services and Magistrates Association.
The event was supported by Crimebeat, Cheshire and Morrisons and Asda made a contribution to the refreshments.
