Mock Judge

A week or so ago I received a desperate plea for additional judges for the 2011 Metro Mini Mock Trial. I looked at my calendar, realized I had the time slot open and hastily replied that I would. As soon as I had agreed, I began to panic, wondering if I was really qualified to be a judge in this competition.

As this week has progressed, I've been thinking a great deal about high school, about the three years I spent participating in programs sponsored by the Classroom Law Project. These programs, these experiences, changed my life. They contributed a great deal to the person I am today and gave me a confidence I was able to carry forward with me for the rest of my life. It is an important program for so many others that I am grateful now, having acted on pure impulse, that I said I would help out. Maybe this is a way for me to give a little something back.

Today I read through the case materials and tonight I'll sit in a courtroom, learning what it's like to be on the other side. I can't help but wonder how this new experience will affect me.