On Thursday morning, approximately 80 high school students from six local school districts gathered at the Lawrence H. Cooke Sullivan County Courthouse to participate in a special Law Day mock trial program organized by the Sullivan County Bar Association.

This year’s Law Day theme, “The Constitution’s Promise: Out of Many, One,” was reflected in the immersive courtroom experience, as students sat in the juror’s box and took part in a mock civil trial guided by local judges, prosecutors, and attorneys. The event provided students with a hands-on introduction to the justice system and the vital role of jurors in upholding constitutional values.

Students were welcomed by Sullivan County Bar Association President Timothy McCausland, Esq., and received official-looking juror summonses to begin the morning. Commissioner of Jurors Deanna Ambrust-Cruz gave an informative overview of jury service and its civic importance.

The mock trial, Jayden Thompson v. Jamie Sullivan, was presided over by the Honorable Meagan K. Galligan, Supreme Court Justice, with court stenography provided by Mikayla Ragoobir-Caban, secretary to the Hon. Stephen Schick. Students selected at random served as jurors and underwent voir dire questioning by the attorneys.

“I felt attentive. I felt like [my experience] was what a normal court proceeding would look like for the most part,” said Myles Simmons, a student from Livingston Manor School, who was selected to serve as one of the student jurors.

In the case, Plaintiff Jayden Thompson, portrayed by ADA Danielle Blackaby, alleged that Defendant Jamie Sullivan, portrayed by ACA Andrew Lessig, was negligent in operating a motor vehicle, causing physical and emotional harm. Attorneys Tim Havas and Michael Andreani represented the plaintiff and defendant, respectively, delivering opening statements, conducting witness examinations, and offering closing arguments.

After hearing the evidence and receiving instructions from Justice Galligan, the student jury deliberated and ultimately found the defendant, Jamie Sullivan, not liable.

“I was a little iffy about [the verdict] because normally you don’t ask the jury to raise their hand, so nobody raised their hands,” recounted Simmons. “When they just accepted that as the final answer, I was a little iffy. At the end of the day though, I was like, ‘it’s whatever.’”

The program concluded with a Q&A session where students were encouraged to ask questions about the trial, legal careers, and the broader justice system.

Students left with a unique, in-person educational experience highlighting the Constitution’s promise and the unifying role of civic participation in the legal process.