For the second consecutive year, Cain Hibbard’s Jennifer Carpenter worked alongside Reid Middle School seventh and eighth grade student advocates to present their arguments in a mock First Amendment case as part of the Discovering Justice Mock Trial Program. The Program, featured in The Berkshire Eagle, is offered by 34 middle schools across the Commonwealth.
Over a span of 10 weeks, Attorney Carpenter volunteered her time to coach students as they jumped enthusiastically into the inner workings of the judicial system, learning how to examine and cross-examine witnesses, and craft opening and closing arguments.
The mock trial, held at Pittsfield District Court before Judge Jennifer Tyne, involved a fictional high school junior who had been suspended for a TikTok post allegedly targeting a classmate. The mock jurors were tasked with evaluating whether the TikTok post was disruptive to the learning environment, and if so, whether the disruption was material and substantive, and therefore outweighed any First Amendment rights of the student who made the post.
The jurors, after a brief deliberation, delivered a verdict in favor of the suspended student.
Attorney Carpenter believes the mock trial program offers youngsters valuable lessons in public speaking and critical thinking. “Introducing the legal system to students early on demystifies the law and develops the skills we want in our future leaders. It is fun and exciting work,” Carpenter observed.