All Rise: Holland students to take over 58th District Court for a day

Ottawa County, Michigan sent this bulletin at 05/24/2016 03:07 PM EDT
Courts Press Release

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May 24, 2016

All Rise: Holland students to take over 58th District Court for a day

The 58th District Court will host Holland High School's AP Government students taught by Mr. Daniel Telgenhof. The students will conduct a full day criminal mock trial on Thursday, May 26, 2016. The trial will begin at 8:20 am and conclude at 2:50 pm in Courtroom B located on the second floor of the Holland Courthouse, 85 W. 8th Street in Holland. 

Mr. Telgenhof’s students have been assigned various realistic roles to prepare for the mock trial including serving as police officers, investigators, prosecutors, defense attorneys, witnesses, court staff, judge and jury. The students have spent the last two weeks studying the facts and legal issues of their case, preparing opening statements, jury voir dire questions, direct and cross examination questions as well as closing arguments.

Presiding over the trial will be Honorable Bradley S. Knoll of the 58th District Court. Judge Knoll has been mentoring the HHS students all spring both for this mock trial event as well as the Michigan Supreme Court Community Program that was held in late April.

In addition to Judge Knoll’s and Mr. Telgenhof’s support, hard work and partnership on this project, Ottawa County’s Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Lee Fisher and Defense Attorney Bob Hamilton have also been mentoring the students and helping them prepare for their case. The event was organized by the All RISE! Access to Courts Committee of the 58th District Court, which consists of Leticia Gonzalez-Ortiz, Marisa Vredevoogd, Elizabeth Stegenga, Cindy Daldos, Katelyn Wegener, Ryan Gamby, Jodi Salacina and Lori Catalino.

Thursday’s mock trial will be the culmination of a significant amount of time and effort in preparing for this unique educational opportunity that will allow HHS students to interact with community justice leaders regarding the law, civil liberties and the judiciary in a real courtroom setting.

Media Contact:

Lori Catalino, District Court Administrator, 616.355.4347, lcatalino@miottawa.org