When people don’t know what decision to make, what do they do? They go to people to help them make their decisions. Judges play vital roles in deciding the outcome of many controversial cases and situations. LASA senior Grace O’Bryan revealed her experience as a judge and judging The Case of the Confused Cop. This is O’Bryan’s first year as a judge, and it has been a positive experience overall.
O’Bryan decided to become a judge to commit to the LASA delegation but still participate in the Mock Trial. “I wanted to dedicate my time to helping my delegation grow and helping my club’s mock trial teams learn the ropes,” she said. O’Bryan hopes to encourage future club years to prepare newcomers for conferences. “This is a competition, but my favorite memories are not of any victories I may have achieved but of friends I’ve met and funny interactions I’ve had,” she said.
O’Bryan described judge training as in-depth and necessary. There are three main aspects to judge training: understanding procedure, memorizing the law and rules, and conduct. This mix of studying and trial-room experience are necessary steps to becoming a judge. “You can’t just know rules and the proper layout of a room, you have to know how to present yourself. It’s your job to prevent outside conflict and maintain a professional yet kind presence,” O’Bryan said.
O’Bryan quickly discovered that being a judge meant balancing the “ecosystem” of Mock Trial. “You take the role of both a teacher and a student,” she revealed. Judging involves giving guidance, teaching, and receiving and growing from critiques. She emphasized the importance of having a good Youth and Government experience. “Being a judge isn’t about being the best; it’s about helping others and maintaining the trial’s integrity,” she said. Outside the trial room, O’Bryan enjoys the judge community due to their support and mutual love of the program.
For her last case, O’Bryan judged The Case of the Confused Cop. This case follows Officer Alex Greene and his shooting of Kamari Jenkins. Officer Greene believed that a burglar was in Jenkins’ house and mistook Jenkins for a burglar. The debate questions whether Greene committed felony murder or acted in self-defense. O’Bryan enjoys debating this because “it is a particularly relevant case in our current times,” she said. According to the University of Illinois Chicago, more than 600 people are killed by law enforcement in the U.S. annually. Additionally, 15% of civilians who experience police threats are injured (University of Illinois, Chicago). O’Bryan enjoys the new perspectives and arguments brought forth in each round of trials due to how applicable they are to today’s society.
By: Spandana Palyam (Liberal Arts and Science Academy High School)