Brite Star Courts "The Brite Star Kids Trial"

The Brite Star Kids Trial A Brite Star Courts Copyright © 2023 by The Brite Star Foundation, Inc., a 501 (c)3 All rights reserved.

Published by The Brite Star Foundation, Inc. 11411 Southern Highlands Parkway Suite 338 Las Vegas, Nevada 89141 Vincent W. Goett, Publisher

ISBN Paperback

979-8-89750-121-2

Digital

979-8-89750-122-9

No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission of the publisher.

The Brite Star students were excited about Brite Star Kids Court. They had visited Brite Star Courthouse and learned how court works. Judge Blue and Lawyer Blue assigned them courtroom jobs and they couldn’t wait to try a case for themselves.

Ms. Betty and Judge Sam picked a complaint from the Court Case Jarto be tried by the court. Today’s trial wasthe “Peanut Butter Bandit.”

The classroom had been converted into a courtroom. There wasa big bench where Judge Sam to sit. There were tables for the defendant and plaintiff and their lawyers and there wasa place for the jury. Landon wasdressed as a Marshal and he would stand next to Liz, the court reporter.

“Class you have had one week to prepare for the trial,” said Ms. Betty.

“Are you all ready?”

“Yes, Ms. Betty,” everyone said.

“Then let the trial begin. Everyone stand for the Honorable Judge Sam,” Ms. Betty said.

Everyone stood while Judge Samtook her place at the bench.

“You maybe seated,” said JudgeSam.

Court reporter Liz began taking notes to record the official court transcript.

“Defendant’s lawyer, Brett and plaintiff’s lawyer, Hudson, are you ready to begin?” asked Judge Sam.

Both lawyers answered that they were ready.

“Lawyer Hudson, give your opening statement please,” saidJudge Sam. “Your Honor and members of the jury, four different times over the last month someone has stolen and eaten peanut butter sandwiches belonging to myclient, Alexander,” said Hudson.

“I will prove that the peanut butter bandit is in fact Jeremy. He loves peanut butter andalways sits nextto Alexander and Leo at lunch time,” said Hudson.

“Lawyer Brett please give your opening statement now,”said JudgeSam. “Your Honor and members of the jury, it’s true that Leo, Alexander and Jeremy sit at the same bench every day. However many other kids run around during lunchtime so there are several potential peanut butter sandwich bandits -- not just Jeremy,” said Brett. “Furthermore, I’d like to add that Jeremy’s favorite food is not actually peanut butter, it is the pizza that Big Leo brings for Leo and Alexander to sell,” she said. “In fact after Jeremy eats his pizza slice he’s stuffed.”

“Thank you Lawyer Brett and Lawyer Hudson.

Now, are you ready to present your evidence?” asked Judge Sam. The lawyers stacked and shuffled their papers then set up boards on easels at the front of the court. They would present their evidence to Judge Sam and the jury on those boards.

“Your Honor, I call Alexander as myfirst witness,” said Hudson.

Alexander satin the witness chair nextto Judge Sam. He explained that every day he brought a lunch bag to school with his name on it and a peanut butter sandwich inside.

“Do you always sit with Leo and Jeremy?” asked Hudson.

“I sure do. We sit at the same bench every day.

Leo and I play tether ball then come back and eat lunch with Jeremy,” said Alexander.

“That’s when the peanut butter bandit strikes,” said Leo. The jury members gasped and began talking among themselves.

“Order in the court!” said Judge Sam. “Your witness, Lawyer Brett.”

“Alexander have you ever seen Jeremy eat your peanut butter sandwich?” asked Lawyer Brett.

“No he never has! It does look good, but I have my pizza at lunch. It’s myfavorite,” said Jeremy. Judge Sam gave him a look that meant he should be quiet.

“Jeremy,whatdo you do while Leo and Alexander play tether ball? asked Lawyer Brett.

“Sometimes I read mybook and sometimes I kick the soccer ball with Mike Jr.,”said Jeremy. “Come to think of it, Alexander’s peanut butter sandwich is always taken on the days I play soccer.”

“This is the perfect time for a lunch recess,” said Judge Sam. “After lunch wewill hear final arguments.”

Excitementfilled the playground as the students cameout. Who wasinnocent? Who wasguilty?

They talked amongst themselves giving their opinion and arguing with each other. Lawyer Brett paid special attention to the bench where Leo, Alexander and Jeremy sat. Deep down she knew that no one in Brite Star would steal. This peanut butter bandit had her thinking.

“Alexander, could I have half of your peanut butter sandwich?” asked Brett.

“Sure, Leo gave me some of his pizza today,” said Alexander. Then the kids went back to their places in the courtroom.

“Lawyer Brett, are you ready for your closing argument?” asked Judge Sam. “Yes.I’d like to close with evidence that will prove Jeremy is not the peanut butter bandit,” said Lawyer Brett. “Judge Sam, Lawyer Hudson, Jury please come to the window looking out at the playground,” she said.

As everybody watched, Lawyer Brett ran out to Alexander, Leo and Jeremy’s lunch bench. She put the half peanut butter sandwich Jeremy had given her on the bench then went back into the classroom.

“Your Honor, I believe wewill have the peanut butter bandit shortly,” said Lawyer Brett.

“Look at that! It’s not one bandit, it’s two!” yelled the kids.

Adam and Squeaky, the playground squirrel’s scampered down from a tree. They both went right to the peanut butter sandwich and ate it together.

“How did you know, Brett?” asked Hudson “Because when Jeremy said the sandwich went missing while he played soccer, that left the bench empty for our little bandits,” said Brett.

“Jury, how do you find Jeremy?” asked Judge Sam. “Innocent,” the Jury declared.

“Judge Sam what should wedo with Leo and Alexander for accusing Jeremy?” asked Ms. Betty.

“The punishment shall be that Leo and Alexander mustbring an extra half peanut butter sandwich for Adam and Squeaky every day for one week,” said Judge Sam. “Court adjourned.”

Think About It 1. How did the Kids Court choose whichcase totry?

2. Who wasthe defendant’s lawyer?

3. Who wasthe plaintiff’s lawyer?

4. What is Jeremy’s favorite food?

5. Who wasthe Peanut Butter Bandit?

Let’s Work Together!

Lawyers present evidence to try to prove the accused is innocent or guilty.

The jury must listen carefully to decide which evidence convinces them of guilt or innocence. The jury has animportant role in our legal system.

Iwill. . .

• Listen carefully when I’m asked to give an opinion when someone is accused of something.

• Tryto keep an open mind as Ilisten toevidence.

• Tryto notice things that others maymiss.

The jury systemwe have for deciding if someone is guilty or innocent depends on jury members being fair and paying close attention to evidence. Good lawyers also notice things that others maymiss. Would you like to be a lawyer someday?