MONTICELLO – On May 1,  in recognition of Law Day, the Sullivan County Bar Association will present a mock trial to local high school students. The program will take place at the Lawrence H. Cooke Sullivan County Courthouse, located at 414 Broadway, Monticello, from 9am-12pm.  The students will be welcomed by the President of the Bar Association, Timothy McCausland, Esq. Each student will receive a juror summons and will learn about jury service from Commissioner of Jurors Deanna Ambrust-Cruz.

The Honorable Meagan K. Galligan, Supreme Court Justice, will preside over the mock trial. Mikayla Ragoobir-Caban, secretary to the Hon. Stephen Schick, will be the stenographer. Randomly selected “jurors” will be seated in the jury box and be “voire dire’d” by the attorneys to serve as jurors in the trial of Jayden Thompson v. Jamie Sullivan. In that case, Ms. Thompson alleges that Mr. Sullivan operated a motor vehicle, in which she was a passenger, in a negligent manner causing her physical and emotional injuries.

The students will hear opening statements from Plaintiff’s attorney, Tim Havas, and Defendant’s attorney, Michael Andreani. The trial will consist of testimony by the Plaintiff, Jayden Thompson, portrayed by ADA Danielle Blackaby, and the Defendant, Jamie Sullivan, portrayed by ACA Andrew Lessig. Both parties will be subject to cross examination. At the conclusion of the testimony, the students will hear closing arguments. Justice Galligan will explain the jury deliberation process and the students will vote whether they believe that liability has been established. At the end of the program, the students are encouraged to ask questions about the trial or our justice system.

This program is a unique opportunity for the students to be introduced to the County Courthouse and the important role of jurors in our justice system. We are expecting approximately 80 students plus chaperones from six local school districts.

For further information, please contact Hon. Jacqueline Ricciani at (845) 791-3518 or riccianichambers@nycourts.gov.