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The trial below is fictitious; however, it can be
used to train volunteers. Using this trial the volunteers, judges, bailiffs, clerks,
attorneys, and jurors can practice their roles. Teen Court
members can videotape the sessions, so volunteers can examine
their performance.
It is a good idea to invite journalists to attend the mock sessions. Because of confidentiality rules governing juvenile hearings, it is recommended that they don't attend actual cases.
IN THE MATTER OF:
JOSEPH MONROE
CHARGES: Theft from a mobile vehicle, possession of alcohol as a minor, disorderly conduct
The Mock City police were summoned to the west parking lot of Mock City High School on June 1, 1996 at 3:30 p.m. due to a fight in progress. The combatants were Mr. Joseph Monroe and Mr. Peter Thomas.
Joseph Monroe was arrested at 3:50 p.m. on June 1, 1996, at Mock City High School in the west parking lot. Monroe had entered a blue 1988 Chevrolet Cavalier belonging to Peter Thomas. The owner stated that he had left the windows of the auto rolled down and the doors unlocked--there was no forced entry.
From the automobile, Monroe removed a compact disk by the Dave Matthews Band titled "Before These Crowded Streets." The compact disk was recovered from the ground and marked and tagged as evidence.
At the time of his arrest, a half-empty bottle, commonly referred to as a "fifth" of whiskey was located on the ground near Monroe and he was charged with possession of alcohol as a minor. The bottle was not damaged and the lid was in place. Monroe stated the alcohol was also taken from the automobile, but the owner of the auto denies having had possession of the bottle. This bottle was also marked and tagged as evidence.
Monroe stated he had removed the alcohol from the glove compartment area of the vehicle because he (Thomas) was an alcoholic and Monroe was concerned for the safety of one Stephanie Williams (Monroe's ex-girlfriend and Thomas's current girlfriend). Monroe contended that Thomas was always drinking and would hurt somebody one of these days, and he didn't want it to be Stephanie. Thomas flatly denied the allegations of being a drinker or of possessing the alcohol.
The fight was the result of Thomas finding Monroe in his car. Witnesses state that Thomas pushed Monroe, and Monroe responded with a punch that sent Thomas to the ground. Monroe then repeatedly (at least three(3) times) knocked Thomas down each time Thomas got to his feet.
Joseph Monroe is 17 years old and resides at 1234 Pugilist Street in Mock City.
Joseph has one younger sister.
His parents are divorced and his mother has custody of both children. His father has moved to California, remarried, and started a new family, but Joseph has never met his step-mother or his half-brother and half-sister. The family receives no financial assistance from Mrs. Monroe's ex-husband.
Joseph works as a stockboy at the 24-Hour Grocery Store in Mock City. He gives his mother his pay check and receives $25 each week for his own use. The remainder is used for the entire family. During the summer he works 39 hours per week; during the school year he works 30 hours per week.
Joseph had been a member of the high school wrestling team but was dropped due to failing grades. At the time he left the team, he held his weight class and was a likely candidate for state competition. He was generally an average student, but his grades suffered during the winter quarter. Joseph explained that the stress of school work, employment, athletics, and a break up with a girlfriend made it difficult to maintain his typical grades during that time.
The wrestling coach replaced Monroe with Peter Thomas, an average wrestler. Currently, Joseph is not dating. He had been dating Stephanie Williams (a wrestling cheerleader) for the last year and a half, but they broke up after Christmas. She evidently wanted a ring, and the necklace he purchased wasn't sufficient. He has made several attempts to reconcile with her. She attended the spring prom with Peter Thomas, and they have been dating steadily ever since then.
Joseph has no plans for the future as far as college unless he can get back on the wrestling team next year and get a scholarship.
