Dodge County Judge plays game of 'Life'
Chief Judge John R. Storck, Dodge County Circuit Court, found a new way to connect with students during American Legion Student Government Day in Dodge County in April.
Instead of setting up the traditional mock trial, Storck orchestrated a game of "Life," to keep attention of high school students who filled his courtroom.
The game consisted of a number of "vignettes" in which students were cast in "real-life" situations and then shown how the court system would respond.
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Dodge County Circuit Court Chief Judge John R. Storck discusses a day in the life of the court with high school students from Lomira, Dodgeland, Hustisford, Horicon, Beaver Dam and Mayville during the 51st annual Student Government Day program in Juneau. (Photo by Diane Graff, Watertown Daily Times) |
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High school student Steven Schwanz of Lomira plays the role of the judge for a mock trial, as Chief Judge Storck walks the class through the court system. (Photo by Diane Graff, Watertown Daily Times) |
"In the past I always did a mock jury trial. Although the mock trial was well received, I felt that doing only a mock trial left so much out of what really happens on a day-to-day basis here at the courthouse. Having a whole series of mini life stories and brief hearings showed the youth how many varied types of life issues are dealt with by the courts. It also showed how the courts work with other agencies to attempt to resolve issues," Storck said.
In the first vignette, two boys and a girl met at Student Government Day and one of the boys started dating the girl. Ten months later they received a "gift" of a child. Paternity tests were administered by the child support office in the courtroom, and the boy, who did not have an ongoing relationship with the mother of the child, was determined to be the father.
The group was walked through the steps that family court counseling, a guardian ad litem, and the courts would take to help resolve all of the various issues of custody, placement, and support.
In the second vignette the boyfriend, who was not the child's father, became depressed, attempted suicide, and became the subject of a Chapter 51 proceeding regarding mental health.
The next vignette involved the child now being neglected and the ensuing CHIPS (child in need of protection and/or services) proceeding. Other real life experiences included a foreclosure on the couples’ home (represented by a Lego house), and the replevin of their model car.
Next, there was a tragic drunken driving crash in which the passenger friend was first seriously injured and in need of a guardian. He later died, and his estate went through probate court. Finally, the criminal case of the homicide by intoxicated use went to trial before a jury.
During each vignette various officials who work with the court system were introduced and their roles discussed. Through this process the youth were exposed to how others such as the family court counselors, the corporation counsel office, human services, the district attorney, the victim witness coordinator, the court reporter, the clerk of courts, the register in probate, and attorneys work with the court to process cases and attempt to solve real life problems.
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