Fairytale trial teaches students about law

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Brian Maguire
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  A jury of students from Maj. George S. Welch Elementary School found Curly Pig guilty of attempted wolf cooking at a mock trial held in the school's gym May 2. 

The mock trial was one of two events offered by the 436th Airlift Wing Legal Office to celebrate Law Day, which is observed May 1. 

On May 1, at Dover Air Force Base Middle School, the Legal Office announced the top three winners of an essay contest held there. The theme of the contest was "How the rule of law enhances a free society." 

The mock trial held for the elementary school students on May 2 was to highlight the process and procedure inherent in the legal system, said Lt. Col. Wes Moore, 436th Airlift Wing Staff Judge Advocate. 

"It was to introduce the children, in a fun way, to the workings of the justice system and how the whole trial process works," said Colonel Moore. 

The mock trial was acted out by various members of the Legal Office, with Colonel Moore presiding as judge. As the presiding officer, Colonel Moore instructed the children in their role as jurors, and how the trial process works. 

"It is important to reach out early on, to make them aware of concepts like the rule of law," Colonel Moore said. 

The purpose of working with the middle and elementary school students was also to highlight a different aspect of the Legal Office, said Carmel-Ann Feliciani, 436th AW chief of general law. 

"They can see we're not just the place where the commander's come when someone is in trouble. There is so much more that we can do," said Ms. Feliciani. 

The time and effort the members of the Legal Office put into these events for the base schools impressed Colonel Moore. 

"In the midst of deployments, courts-martial, wills, legal assistance, and all the things we do on a daily basis, they were still able to do the practices and take the time to evaluate the essays and to participate in this community outreach event," said Colonel Moore. "That says a lot about their level of professionalism and their commitment to the community."