Students are learning some interesting criminal justice facts by being involved in three mock trial simulations in Luke Lokanc’s Introduction to Criminal Justice System taught at Lincoln-Way Central High School.

“We use the trials to re-enforce the content material in class,” stated Lokanc, social science teacher at Central.

For the first trial the students study the trial of the Big Bad Wolf. This trial is more of an immersion into the procedures of a criminal trial and the use of evidence, notes Lokanc.

“I am learning a lot. It’s more hands on, we get to participate more in the whole idea of the case, it’s not just taking notes,” stated Robert Owens, student acting defense attorney for the final case of the semester.

Half way through the semester, the students have a murder trial, The State of Illinois v. Shinnigan. By this time in class, the students have learned the elements of the major crimes, applicable defenses, and technical aspects of a criminal trial. These concepts are incorporated into this trial.

“We end the class with a culminating activity; the trial of Wrigleyville v. Durham. In this trial students bring everything that they have learned to date to the trial. Students engage in voire dire, question the constitutionality of searches and confessions; and do the direct and cross examinations of witnesses.

“Mr. (Steve) Provis, the school principal, was a star witness in this trial. The students enjoyed having their principal participate in their class,” added Lokanc.

Student Robert Owens, added, “We really get a strategy going, we keep trying to break the prosecution’s train of thought. I really have enjoyed the class.” Owens is a senior at Lincoln-Way Central.

“Through this last trial, our students re-enforce everything that they have learned. Additionally, it is important for our students to learn the perspective of a criminal case in the context of the criminal justice from inception to disposition. There is tremendous growth from the first trial to the last with respect to the student’s critical thinking and oral skills,” stated Luke Lokanc, the social science teacher.