Smyth students get inside look into justice system
Nine of the 10 JCAP students took a moment for a group photo following Friday morning's mock trial. They were joined by Attorney Mike Thomas, far left, and Commonwealth's Attorney Phillip “Bucky” Blevins, far right, along with his intern from the Appalachian School of Law.
In the mock trial, Judge Mike Thomas swears in a witness and two prosecutors prepare.
A defense attorney in the mock trial reacts to condeming testimony from his defendant.
A prosecutor in the mock trial talks to the judge about evidence.
The defendant in the mock trial listens to evidence against him.
Delegate Mitchell Cornett talks to the students about the legislative process.
Mike Thomas presents awards to the top defense attorney and prosecutor in the mock trial.
After hours in Smyth County Circuit Court Friday morning, Commonwealth’s Attorney Phillip “Bucky” Blevins declared that he could see each one of the students gathered there as future attorneys.
The students had spent the morning experiencing and taking part in a mock criminal trial. However, they didn’t go through the case just once; they undertook the hearing three times, taking on different roles – prosecutors, defense attorneys, the defendant.
The mock case focused on an 18-year-old man taking his 17-year-old girlfriend home from a party after both had been drinking. The man wrecks, crashing into a local café and substantially destroying it.
Through the mock trial, which used real law enforcement officers and law school students as witnesses, the students saw how the types of question asked could influence witness behavior.
Marion attorney Mike Thomas served as judge for the day, sometimes guiding students in their objections, rebuttals, evidence submissions, and other actions.
The experience was part of the inaugural Junior Commonwealth’s Attorney Program (JCAP), launched this year as an educational enrichment program for students who are in grades 8 to 11.
The students thought about and worked on the case throughout the week. During that time, Blevins said they grappled with the question of how an 18-year-old could go to war and kill people but isn’t allowed to drink alcoholic beverages.
The question was posed to a trial witness and to Del. Mitchell Cornett, who talked with the students Friday.
Cornett, who represents Smyth County, talked to them about the process of lawmaking in Virginia and encouraged them to visit and watch the General Assembly, the oldest legislative body in the western hemisphere.
During the legislative session held earlier this year, he said, about 1,100 bills were passed by the state senate and House of Delegates. However, he cautioned it can take years for some pieces of legislation to make it through the process.
Cornett also shared that the legislature appoints all the state’s judges.
Cornett, who is in his first year as a delegate, noted that ideas for new bills often come from citizens. “You guys can come up with a law,” he told the students.
The time in court was a concluding activity for a week filled with activities.
With a grant from the Smyth County Community Foundation and using money from assets seized from drug dealers, the program was free to participants.
The students began Monday morning, spending time at the Smyth County Sheriff’s Office and watching specially trained K9s at work. They also got to see a polygraph in action and listen as an investigator walked the 10 students through a homicide investigation.
They also visited the Southwest Virginia Criminal Justice Training Academy and tried some of its tests, including climbing a wall. Then, they spent time at the Highlands Juvenile Detention Center, which, on Friday, Blevins reminded them often gives young offenders a second chance.
On Wednesday, they visited the Marion Correctional Treatment Center and learned about unique work there to rehabilitate inmates through mental health counseling. Inmates, Blevins told the students, are people who should be treated with compassion.
The Virginia State Police introduced the JCAP participants to a bomb tech and HEAT, the agency auto theft prevention program.
They toured the campus of Emory & Henry University, explored careers at EO in Abingdon, and visited the federal courthouse, also in Abingdon, where they met two female FBI agents and Judge Pamela Sargent.
In addition to exposure to the criminal justice system, students were anticipated to gain decision-making and leadership skills. During Friday’s mock trial, Blevins sometimes coached the students and showed them how to regain their composure.
Of the experience, Blevins said, "Over the course of a full and demanding week, these students saw firsthand how our justice system works, met the dedicated men and women who protect our communities, and learned that integrity, accountability, and compassion are essential to public service. Watching their confidence grow and their interest in criminal justice deepen was incredibly rewarding."
When deciding to launch JCAP, Blevins said that he drew inspiration from his friend, Anton Bell, Hampton Roads Commonwealth’s Attorney, who established a similar program for his area.
“One of the greatest privileges of serving as Commonwealth’s Attorney is having the opportunity to educate, encourage, and invest in the next generation. The Junior Commonwealth’s Attorney Program is a perfect example of public service extending beyond the courtroom," Blevins reflected.
Blevins added, "I am grateful to the Foundation Board for providing the financial support that made this program possible, and to Sheriff Shuler and Pastor Cody Sturgill of Chilhowie Baptist Church for their logistical assistance. Most importantly, I thank the law-enforcement officers, public servants, community partners, and members of my staff who generously invested their time and knowledge in these young people."
"JCAP was an extraordinary success, and I am proud that our office was able to create an experience these students will remember for years to come. We are already committed to bringing the program back next year and making it even better," he concluded.
The inaugural JCAP graduates are James Bradley, Jala Bradley, Abby Bradley, Kaiden Wood, Ariel Justice, Amayah Pasinato, Raylan Greer, Hanna Meadows, Alivia Huffman. and Eleanor Richardson.
