A Yorkton student returned from the Queen's Bench Court House in Saskatoon with a trophy in hand, recognizing his skills as a lawyer in the 11th annual McKercher Cup.
Brandyn Rodgerson, grade 11, attended the Saskatchewan Provincial High School Mock Trial Competition on March 27th. Ten teams from around the province gathered at the courthouse to create trial scenarios and play various court officers and witnesses.
"The witnesses get into character and act up the part, and the lawyers ask them questions," said Rodgerson, who played a lawyer. The judges, however, were real.
Yorkton Regional High School sent two teams to the McKercher Cup, from which four students played lawyers. Their trial scenarios were assigned before the competition, allowing them to prepare their own questions and the court process.
Rodgerson had a chance to do one trial on defence and one on prosecution. He was awarded a trophy for his skill as a prosecutor.
During the trial, lawyers had to prove whether or not a student had stolen a computer from their school.
"Our defence got him off on all charges, and the prosecution didn't end up prosecuting," Rodgerson explained.
The Regional High School offers a law class for grade 12 students, run by instructor Susan Onda. Rodgerson has not taken the law class yet, and participated in the McKercher Cup because of his involvement in the debate club.
"It's a great experience to see what it's like in a courtroom," he said. Rodgerson has an interest in law and said becoming a part of the justice system is a potential career path for him.
The McKercher Cup aims to promote awareness of the legal system and give students a exciting educational exercise. This year Law Day was officially recognized on April 15th, the anniversary of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
