Mason students perform mock trials

CHARLESTON -- Students from three Mason County schools will continue presenting mock trials today as part of the county's Law Day celebration.

Law Day has been celebrated by the American Legal System since it was founded in 1958 by former President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

The mock trials are being presented at the Mason County Courthouse in Point Pleasant, according to a press release issued by the state Supreme Court of Appeals.

Tenth-grade students from Hannan High School presented their case Thursday. Eighth-grade students from Point Pleasant Middle School performed Thursday.

Students from Wahama will perform their presentation between 8:30 and 11:15 a.m. today.

The Hannan and Wahama presentations were written by Mason County Magistrate Cheryl Ross. The eighth-grade students from Point Pleasant Middle School wrote their own script as part of the West Virginia Law Adventure Program.

Students from each school will conduct a trial and act as lawyers, defendant, judge, jurors, clerks, media, bailiff, witnesses and spectators.

Local attorneys have been working with selected students to prepare each case and will attend each mock trial for added support.