ach year during Law Week the BC Branch of the Canadian Bar Association sponsors mock trials for middle school and high school students throughout British Columbia.

Cranbrook - April 27, 2011
A mock trial for Lou Sur was held at 7:00 pm on April 27, 2011 at Key City Theatre, 20 - 14th Avenue North, Cranbrook. The much feared Mr Justice Hangem presided in the mock trial of Lou Sur, a 40 year old construction worker, who was charged with break and enter and theft over $5,000. The defendant has a lengthy criminal record with five impaired convictions in the past 10 years and convictions for two assaults causing bodily harm, one fraud and two public mischiefs. There was a Corbett Application in the absence of the jury after the close of the Crown’s case.

The Honourable Judge William Sheard of the Provincial Court of British Columbia participated in the mock trial as the court clerk. Lawyer Rick Strahl portrayed the accused, Lou Sur. Crown Counsel Irma Chase was portrayed by Karen Penate de Moffat, an experienced Crown Counsel with 20 years of experience. Scott Free, an experienced barrister with 34 years of experience, was the defense counsel. Crown Counsel Andrew Mayes and Ann Katrine Saettler portrayed the witnesses. Court Clerk Denis Senecal was Judge Hangem and Sheriff Boyd McNamar portrayed the sheriff. The jury consisted of members of the public who were chosen by a random draw. Members of the public were given a ticket for the draw as they entered the courtroom. Use of the theatre was donated through the generosity of the Key City Theatre Society. Click here to view photos.

Kamloops - April 6, 2011
A mock trial was held for Peter Pan who was charged with break-and-enter and teaching children how to fly. The mock trial was held at the Kamloops Courthouse at 455 Columbia Street. The Crown Counsel was portrayed by Kenneth Walker, Kenneth Sommerfeld and Jeremy Knight. Sarah Firestone and Joel Gold acted as defense counsel. Click here to view photos.

Kelowna - April 13, 2011
Approximately 100 Girl Guides in grades 6 and 7 were charged with multiple counts of assault, cultivation, disturbing the peace and destruction of private property. On April 13, 2011, an arrest of the Girl Guides was conducted at 5:15 pm on the steps of the Kelowna Law Courts at 1355 Water Street. The defendants were escorted to cells and their mock trial commenced at 5:45 pm. Crown Counsel called officers from the RCMP and bystanders as witnesses during the mock trial. The defense counsel and Crown Counsel included Jennifer Thorne, Christy Lovig, Keri Grenier, Jaime Boyle, Deanna Stone and Greg Pratch. Amanda Haugan and Monic Pratch acted as court clerks. The jury consisted of Girl Guides.

Nanaimo - April 9, 2011
A mock trial with a judge presiding over “The Trial of Hansel and Gretel" was held at the Nanaimo Courthouse at 35 Front Street. The mock trial was standing room only and a jury of more than 20 children found Hansel and Gretel not guilty.

Vancouver - April 16, 2011
A mock trial for Hansel and Gretel was performed by grade 4 students on Saturday, April 16, 2011 at the CBC Regional Broadcast Centre Vancouver at 700 Hamilton Street. Click here to view photos.

Vernon - April 16, 2011
A mock trial with students from Vernon Secondary School was held at the Vernon Court House at 3001-27th Street. The Honourable Judge Mark Takahashi of the Provincial Court of British Columbia presided over the mock trial. Crown Counsel Sandra Sinclair acted as prosecutor and defense lawyer Juan O'Quinn represented the defendants.

Victoria - April 16, 2011
A mock trial for Harry Potter was held at the Victoria Courthouse at 850 Burdett Avenue on Saturday, April 16, 2011. Click here to view photos.