For many years now, I've been in charge of the Highland (Illinois) Optimist Club's Law Day Program. Every year, we organize a "mock trial" for all of the eighth graders in Highland (from both the public and Catholic schools) at the Madison County Courthouse in Edwardsville, Illinois. This year, there were over 300 students, assorted faculty, and staff who attended.

The purposes of the program are two-fold: first, we want to give a realistic view of how a trial might work; and second, we want to impress upon the students the negative impacts of drinking and driving. A random selection of eighth graders make up the jugy, high school students play the roles of the defendant and witness, but everyone else involved is the real deal -- judge, prosecutor, criminal defense lawyer, police officer, court reporter, and bailiff. Nothing is scripted. The police reports and other evidence are as real as we can make them, including the tape from the breathalyzer. The trial takes about two hours and almost always results in a conviction of the "defendant." After the trial, the students ask the officers, lawyers, and judge questions about the law and legal process. After we finish, the kids are taken back to Highland for an assembly on drinking and driving (this year, time did not permit the assembly).

I estimate that we have presented this program to over 3000 kids since I've been involved with the Optimist Club, and probably 1000 more before then. Our annual cost is zero (except for the bus transportation). If anyone wants to know more how to run a similar program for your community, please contact me.