On Friday 20th November a group of 10 senior pupils travelled to Falkirk Sheriff Court to take part in the annual mini trial event. The other schools participating were Graeme High, Denny HS, and St Mungos.
Pupils from the Academy were given the parts of the Procurator (Kerri Sives) and a defence witness (Emma Brown), while David Busby, Robyn Howie and Caitlin Hurst were members of the jury.
The pupils playing the main parts had been given documents containing details of the charges and evidence, including witness statements, to study in preparation for the event On the day various members of the court staff, including the sheriff and lawyers, were on hand to give their deputies further advice before the trial began and then sat beside them to keep them right throughout the proceedings.
The “trial” took place in Court No.4 and began with all present having to stand as the (pupil) Sheriff entered the court resplendent in wig and gown. After the jury, had been sworn in and other formalities concluded Kerri presented the case for the crown.
When she had concluded and her witnesses had been cross examined by the defence lawyer, he called his witnesses, including Emma, and Kerri had an opportunity to cross examine them.
After the summing up by both lawyers and directions from the Sheriff the jury retired to consider their verdict. Shortly afterwards they returned and the foreman of the jury, David Busby, announced a verdict of Not Proven.
In the debriefing afterwards the Sheriff and other court staff praised the way the pupils had played their roles and there was an excellent question and answer session.
The visit concluded with a visit to the cells to see the only vacant one and some of the group were given quite a fright when prisoners in the occupied cells began banging and shouting.
A very enjoyable and informative morning was completed by a quick visit to McDonalds for lunch before returning to school for afternoon classes.
