May it please the court, today, in Historical Mock Trial, our intrepid legal eagles prepared a mini mock trial. Broken windows led to a charge of vandalism for a Toni, the ring leader of a teenaged gang (though the defense had serious reservations about the aforementioned characterization and objected. The term gaggle was used instead). Openings and closing were prepared as well as direct and cross examinations. After deliberation, the jury did not feel the prosecution had successfully proven that Toni had thrown the stone. Acquittal is only celebrated by one side. The prosecution was dismayed to learn that in the American jurisprudence system, only the accused is offered the opportunity for appeal. As some of the pictures suggest, we took advantage of the beautiful weather to enjoy the Playscape. In the afternoon work began on opening statements for the Sacco and Vanzetti case.
Lawyer Spotlight: Ruth Bader Ginsberg
From Wikipedia: “Ginsburg was born and grew up in Brooklyn, New York. Her older sister died when she was a baby, and her mother died shortly before Ginsburg graduated from high school. She earned her bachelor’s degree at Cornell University and married, becoming a mother before starting law school at Harvard, where she was one of the few women in her class. Ginsburg transferred to Columbia Law School, where she graduated joint first in her class. …
Ginsburg spent much of her legal career as an advocate for gender equality and women’s rights, winning many arguments before the Supreme Court. She advocated as a volunteer attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union and was a member of its board of directors and one of its general counsel in the 1970s. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter appointed her to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, where she served until her appointment to the Supreme Court in 1993. She was nominated by President Bill Clinton to replace retiring justice Byron White, and at the time was generally viewed as a moderate consensus-builder. She eventually became part of the liberal wing of the Court as the Court shifted to the right over time. Ginsburg was the first Jewish woman and the second woman to serve on the Court.”
“Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.”
“Whatever you choose to do, leave tracks. That means don’t do it just for yourself. You will want to leave the world a little better for your having lived.”
“Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn’t be that women are the exception.”
“A constitution, as important as it is, will mean nothing unless the people are yearning for liberty and freedom.”
“So often in life, things that you regard as an impediment turn out to be great, good fortune.”