Judge Lorna Dyck, right, assists student judge Janel Night at a student mock court Friday to recognize Law Day. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

Eye on education

Students turn courtroom into classroom for Law Day exercise

Apr 13, 2019 | 12:00 PM

SpongeBob SquarePants was in hot water Friday when he appeared in North Battleford provincial court to challenge a shoplifting charge.

The character, played by a student, was part of a class exercise for three Battlefords-area schools learning more about the judicial process.

The mock trial involved a case of theft for the cartoon character, who wasn’t aware the law required him to pay the accepted currency, or any currency for that matter, when he allegedly tried to take the Finding Dory DVD from Walmart last December without paying for it.

Despite SpongeBob SquarePants’ story, that wasn’t enough for the judge who handed him a conditional sentence.

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“This event provides high school students with the opportunity to learn a little bit about the legal system, particularly criminal processes,” said Lawyer Robert Feist, who was involved in helping organize the event. “That’s probably the area that people are most familiar with in the justice system.”

The moot court also recognizes the upcoming anniversary of Law Day, which takes place April 17 each year to honour the signing of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms in 1982.

Students from North Battleford Comprehensive High School (NBCHS), John Paul II Collegiate (JPII) and Sakewew High School had roles in the trial, acting as part of the Crown team, the defence, and in the role of the accused, judge and clerk.

The student prosecutors’ legal team and witnesses. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

JPII Collegiate student Ty Larose, who acted as the accused, SpongeBob SquarePants – identified in the trial as a newcomer to North Battleford, said he found learning about the judicial process interesting, while adding he is also taking a law class at school.

NBCHS student Dante Bacchetto, who also took part in a previous mock court, mentioned he learned how the sentencing process is just as important as the final verdict, by being involved in this year’s event.

“Either (proposed sentence) can attempt to solve the problem, but each solves the problem in a different way,” he said.

The student defence legal team, with student Ty Larose (front right, seated) in the role of the accused, shown at the mock trial. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Judge Lorna Dyck said following the event that everyone can benefit from knowing more about the legal process, not just students.

“I’m all about education,” she said. “The more we can do to help the public understand how the law works, I think as a society we will be better.”

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW