Asbury Park Middle School : Mock Trial Four

On May 20th and 21st Mr. Schneider and Mr. Wronko had their mock trial four.

They invited the Superior Court of New Jersey, Monmouth Vicinage “Journey to Justice Program” back to Asbury Park Middle School for a fourth consecutive year.

Mock Trial Four

For the first day the program had numerous guest speakers to encourage students to do well in school, follow their dreams, become a lawyer or judge, and help each other. The following was the agenda for the first day:

Welcome and Introduction

8:30-8:35 John Italiano, Acting Trial Court Administrator

8:35-8:50 Honorable Leslie-Ann M. Justus, J.S.C.

Judicial Careers

8:50 – 9:00 Prosecutor: Laurie B. Gerhardt, Special Deputy Attorney
General

9:00 – 9:10 Public Defender Office: Van Lane, Esq.

9:10-9:20 Probation Officer: Myra Carter, Asst Chief Probation
Officer/Sheri Bouldin, Senior Probation Officer

Juvenile v. Adult Court

9:20-9:30 Criminal Division: Melissa Garrett, Admin Spec 4 Drug Court

In addition to the guest speakers, for the third year in a row the “Journey to Justice Program” allowed students to participate in a Jeopardy game that tested their background knowledge regarding the government and the judicial system. Mr. Schneider’s and Mr. Wronko’s students who participated were very engaged.

On the following day, Mr. Schneider’s and Mr. Wronko’s students participated in a mock trial dealing with how a symbol could mean peace in one culture while being interpreted as death in another.

For the first three years, students who had participated on the jury during the mock trial came to a unanimous decision. However, this year the jury did not make a decision.

Therefore, for the first time in Asbury Park Middle School mock trial history, it was a hung jury.

“Journey to Justice Program” members who assisted with the mock trial:

Honorable George Cieri

Attorneys: Anita White-Gilyard and Timothy Maguire

On an end note, Myra Carter along with Genise Hughes, APMS math teacher, grew up together and went to Asbury Park Schools. Both had succeeded with their education and goals and now looked upon as great role models for the Asbury Park School district.

A special thanks to the following who helped out:

Mr. Schneider
Mrs. McMillan
Mr. Mason
Mr. White
Ms. Hughes
Mr. Pierce
Dr. Lewis
Mr. Parham
Mrs. Zakiya G. Del Orbe

Keep up with the articles from Mr. Wronko :

http://www.unheardvoicesmag.com/2015/05/10/apms-at-the-museum-in-trenton/

http://www.unheardvoicesmag.com/2012/06/11/asbury-park-middle-school-a-class-onto-itself/

https://www.jerseyvoices.com/2015/05/10/apms-at-the-museum-in-trenton/

https://www.jerseyvoices.com/2014/02/10/super-events-asbury-park-middle-school/