The verdict is in:  students from Nouvel Catholic Central High School represented our Catholic schools well at the annual Saginaw County Law Day on April 3.  

Twenty-five students from NCC attended the Law Day Mock Trials at the Saginaw County Courthouse in the roles of attorneys, witnesses and jurors. Nouvel had two teams, and the attorneys and witnesses prepared for weeks beforehand aided by Saginaw attorneys Mr. Joseph Harrison and Mr. Adam Flory.   
“The experience gives our students a chance to participate in a realistic (pretend) trial with a real Saginaw County judge and in a real courtroom,” said Pete Bartels, NCC theology and social studies instructor and Law Day team advisor. 

Teams from Saginaw County high schools participated in five mock trials throughout the morning. Students performed as both the prosecution and the defense. This year's trial was a based on the 2021 accidental on-set shooting on the set of the film “Rust,” in which cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was fatally shot by a prop gun held by Alec Baldwin. In the real-life trial, Baldwin was charged with involuntary manslaughter, and the case was later dismissed.  

The verdict in the two trials Nouvel participated in were "not guilty" and "hung jury," meaning the jury could not come to an agreement in the time allowed for deliberations. 

“I liked the atmosphere and how we kept it realistic,” said Jonathan Rishmawi, who was a defense attorney for the mock trial.  “I found the fact that we got a hung jury the most interesting fact.”  

The teams also got to meet Judge Brittany Dicken, who serves as the circuit court judge of the Family Court, and Circuit Court Judge Manvel Trice III.  

“Students very much enjoy Law Day each year,” Mr. Bartels said. “Our teams are already looking forward to next year's competition.” 

Brooklyn Boruszewski, who filled the role of a prosecuting attorney, agreed.  

“One of the most exciting parts of Law Day is all the amazing successful attorneys you get to work and talk to, especially as someone who wishes to pursue this career,” she said. “Law Day is thrilling and should 100 percent be on every student's to-do list!” 
The Law Day program was established in 1958 under President Dwight D. Eisenhower and has been active in Saginaw County since 1969.

The Diocese of Saginaw serves approximately 2,000 students in elementary and high schools. To learn about the difference a Catholic education can make in your child’s life, find a school near you!