The Building of a Mock Trial: A Guide to Crafting a Successful Legal Simulation

The Honorable Danielle P Roberts makes it clear who she is and who she isn't "I am not just one thing I am native to GA and I am the second oldest of 11 siblings. I am a problem solver by nature."

Judge Roberts is a public servant deeply committed to helping and healing the community she serves As a superior court judge in Henry County, GA, the second oldest of eleven kids leans heavily on the lessons she learned from her Deacon father, United Methodist Minister paternal grandfather, and Southern Baptist Minister maternal grandfather

"Every day of the week, if there was an opportunity to serve, we did it If there was a way we could be of service, my grandparents and my father taught us to do that, and that is something that is very important to my husband and me. That is something that we try to model for our kids and our community." To further make her point, she continues, "It's our civic duty regardless of whether you're a judge, a public defender, or a prosecutor. I think each and every one of us has a role to reach back to the community that gave to us "

It is these lessons, these guiding principles, that have made Judge Roberts such a dynamic leader Last year, she started a "Mock Trial" team at a local high school to teach kids the importance of how our legal system works. "I reached out to individuals at Woodland High School in Henry Co. They didn't have a team, and we got a teacher coach to volunteer to spearhead it for us I serve as an attorney coach for the team along with Marcus Thorpe, who used to be a prosecutor in Darius Patillo's office So what we do is expose those students to the judicial system, to criminal justice We alternate between civil and criminal justice cases, and they actually learn what the role of the judge is, and what the importance of the jury is in the community."

The program is very detailed and thorough in its scale and scope, teaching the kids about the system "We teach them how to serve as attorneys We teach them the rules of evidence; they do opening statements, direct and cross-examination of their witnesses They lodge objections "

The program has been an unqualified success in its two years of existence, advancing to district competition in its first year and, at the time of this writing, being undefeated, having won every round, and now being one of 18 teams heading to state competition "Some students have an interest in law, some in drama, some are good at math and usually become timekeepers. What we like to do is expose them to different opportunities, to different concepts. What I have found as a public [is that] we have some misconceptions about how important it is for us to play a role in the judicial system and how big a role we play as jurors and how big an impact we have on our youth when we come in the schools and volunteer and expose them to more than just sports and academics "

The team is diverse in its participants Judge Roberts wants a program that is open to all students "I have some track stars, some basketball players, and four cross-country kids who made it to state in cross country. I have a soccer player, a tennis player, I have kids in AP classes, I have kids that are in dual enrollment All competing on the same team Every class from Freshman to Seniors 'If you give us your time, we will turn you into an award-winning attorney or witness.'"

The building of a "Mock Trial" team is just one example of Judge Roberts' commitment to educating and empowering young people in her community. She is also involved in other programs that seek to improve the lives of at-risk youth, such as the Henry County Juvenile Drug Court and the Henry County Juvenile Court Citizen Review Panel In addition to her work with young people,

Judge Roberts is a passionate advocate for restorative justice She believes that our justice system should not only punish offenders but also help them become better citizens. "It's not just about punishing people for their mistakes It's about helping them get back on track and become productive members of society," she says

Judge Roberts' commitment to community service has not gone unnoticed In 2019, she was awarded the "Women of Distinction" award by the Henry County Chamber of Commerce for her outstanding leadership and service to the community. She was also recognized by the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys as the "2019 Trailblazer of the Year " Henry

Despite her many accomplishments, Judge Roberts remains humble and focused on the work that needs to be done "I don't see myself as a trailblazer I see myself as someone who is just doing what needs to be done," she says

As Judge Roberts continues to serve her community with passion and dedication, she hopes to inspire others to do the same. "We all have a role to play in making our communities better," she says "Whether you're a judge or a teacher or a business owner or a student, we all have something to offer. It's up to us to step up and make a difference "

Participating in a mock trial can not only improve legal skills but also help develop critical thinking, public speaking, and teamwork abilities