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Mark Dupree, right, district attorney for Wyandotte County, acted as a prosecutor and addressed the virtual jury in the annual Constitution Day mock trial hosted by the 10th Judicial District Court, in Olathe, and Olathe USD 233. Catherine Triplett, far right, a judge in the 10th Judicial District, acted as the defense attorney for the defendant, a third grade student accused of violating a code against running in school hallways. (YouTube screenshot)

From Maine to California and around the world, an estimated 50,000 third grade students and administrators, including those in Kansas, participated in the virtual nationwide Constitution Day mock trial on Sept. 17.

Judge Robert Wonnell of the 10^th Judicial District Court, in Olathe, and Julie Fishburn, director of social studies for Olathe USD 233, were instrumental in creating the annual event that teaches third grade students the importance of the checks and balances of the three branches of government and the rights and protections Americans have under the U.S. Constitution.

“By participating, you are helping to protect the most importance rules we have, ensuring that our courts treat everyone fairly and make decisions strictly by the law,” Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Eric Rosen told the online audience before the mock trial started. “Let today inspire you to act fairly and to treat everyone with respect.”

As part of the kickoff to the online event, Gov. Matt Meyer-Delaware, explained the role of the executive branch, while U.S. Senator Jerry Moran-Kansas, explained the congressional role of the legislative branch and Judge Wonnell explained the judicial branch’s role.

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett told the audience judges are like referees who do their best to make sure everyone receives the same protections.

“The Constitution is like a rule book for America,” she said. “It divides up jobs between branches of government and it protects people’s rights. A law is constitutional if it obeys the rules in that rule book.”

The mock trial highlighted the rights under the U.S. Constitution’s 6^th Amendment for criminal defendants to have an impartial jury of their peers during a public trial with a defense attorney.

The students, acting as jurors, heard the case, State v. Johnson OSD 123. Luke Johnson, a third grade student, was accused of violating a fictious U.S. code governing the prohibition of running in the hallways of any elementary school between the hours of 7 a.m. and 4 p.m.

“Violation of this law is considered a Class C level crime, and the consequence shall not exceed 5 days of sweeping the hallways,” the code read in part.

Mark Dupree, district attorney for Wyandotte County, played the role of the prosecutor, and presented the case for why Johnson should be found guilty of running in the hallways because he allegedly was late getting to a back-to-school movie event at his school. Catherine Triplett, a judge in the 10^th Judicial District Court, played the defense attorney, arguing there wasn’t enough evidence to convict her client.

Witnesses for the prosecution and the defense also provided sworn testimony as to whether they saw Johnson running in his school’s hallways on the day in question. After the witnesses testified, the prosecutor and defense attorney made their closing arguments. The student-jurors were given five minutes to deliberate and then using an online link, voted on the verdict that declared Johnson “not guilty.”

Adam Topliff, humanities program manager at the Kansas State Department of Education, said Thursday’s event provided a natural connection to the Kansas social studies standards for third grade students, particularly the first standard, “choices have consequences” and the second standard, “individuals have rights and responsibilities.” 

“The mock trial is a great example of high-quality instruction bringing learning to life,” he said. “Students weren't simply learning about government and civic responsibility. They were actively using evidence, making decisions, and experiencing the consequences of those decisions in an authentic civic setting.”

According to the Kansas Office of Judicial Administration, 458 Kansas schools registered for the Constitution Day mock trial with an estimated 12,652 Kansas students participating.