Teen Court holds first mock trail with Vermilion Parish participants

Abbeville Teen Court had its first mock trial with teen participants from Vermilion Parish.
The organization portrayed a trial scenario that included local stakeholders and volunteers in the program as well as Teen Court students going through the program.
The trial featured a school fight where the participants were given consequences ushered by the prosecution and public defender. Witnesses included the school principal, parents and student bystanders. The lawyers for prosecution and defense were guided by professionals during practice runs and learned how to phrase
questions to elicit responses that proved their case. They delivered opening and closing statements and a jury of their peers deliberated the outcome.
Abbeville City Court personnel were also in attendance and offered their support in growing the program to include an equal number of volunteers outside the program to work with those students in the process of rehabilitation.
The event was well attended by community members and Program Director Talitha Boudreaux was “overjoyed by these teens” who worked hard to make sure the mock trial was successful. For more information about Abbeville Teen Court, contact Talitha Boudreaux at 337-398-9669.
To serve as a volunteer or mentor, please visit the Nehemiah Projects of Acadiana Inc. website at www.thenpai.org website and fill out the interest form.