Twenty-seven fifth grade school students from Jackson Elementary, an OPS School, sat in the jury box to render their verdict in this year’s mock trial held in conjunction with the 2024  Law Day.

For the last several years, students have been invited into Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter Jr’s courtroom to participate in a mock trial.  This year, as always, involved lawyers and actors collaborating to demonstrate how a trial operates. Rossiter continues a tradition following in the footsteps of the late US District Judge Lyle E. Strom, who for many years brought in students to participate in a mock trial.

Rossiter was nominated by President Barack Obama and confirmed in 2016.   He is one of three active US District Judges in Nebraska.

Rossiter explained the reason behind Law Day and the mock trial as “to celebrate the rule of law and more importantly provide a deeper understanding of law, the courts and how our system operates.  The mock trial furthers their purposes.”  Rossiter shared an interesting side note that Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th U.S President, established the national Law Day in 1958.

Douglas County Attorney Don W. Kleine served as prosecutor and was matched against local Attorney Joe Bradley as the Defense Counsel, to prosecute the case of Goldilocks v. The Three Bears. Key witnesses to the case were actors representing The Rose Theatre.  One of the 27 children was selected to serve as second chair to counsel. 

Attorney Joe Bradley, serving on the defense side, quipped that this year’s event ended in a hung jury.  “The students bring fun energy learning about the legal system.  The young actors have cool costumes that bring the case alive. I love the students' questions.” 

Following the student’s vote, Ann Miller,  Deputy County Attorney at the Douglas County Attorney’s Office spoke to the jurors after the verdict was rendered.  She is instrumental each year in coordinating this event.  As a special post-trial treat, the students received a tour of the courthouse.

Rossiter answered questions and took photos with the class.  He  said “I enjoy student visits and am proud to show off our court.  I have a number of student groups come in for tours and question and answer sessions.  It’s important that we are ambassadors for the court system.”  Rossiter noted that he was amazed how fifth graders grasped the trial’s proceedings and asked some really good questions, showing they paid attention.

He  sums up the value behind this case and the chance for elementary school students to spend a few hours at court.  “It’s personally important to me that our young students (and not so young people) learn how the legal system works as opposed to how it is sometimes portrayed.  The court system is there to protect people’s rights.”

As a Creighton University Law School student it's fairly safe to say that during his three years as a Blue Jay the case of Goldilocks v. The Three Bears was not studied. This annual mock trial tradition is a fun way to make the law accessible to elementary school students.