All Rise!
Business Law Students Visit District Court
by Renee Popejoy
October 21, 2008
Thursday, October 16 was "misdemeanor day" in Crawford County District Court and students in business law were there. Ten students plus their instructor, Renee' Popejoy, attended the monthly proceedings that make up "misdemeanor day" in Girard, Kansas. According to District Judge Don Nolan, one day each month is set aside for misdemeanors. "You will see a variety of offenders and offenses," said Nolan.
And a variety is just what they saw. However, the majority pertained to drugs; even a theft charge was drug related. "I was surprised how many cases were drug related," said senior Danny Davied.
Students observed the lawyers, accused, witnesses, bailiff, clerk, and judge from the jury box. "I wanted the students to get an appreciation for courtroom protocol before we put on our mock trial," said Popejoy, "It was great to reinforce what we'd been discussing in class."
Students got a chance to ask questions of Judge Nolan and the Crawford County Attorney afterward. The chart used for sentencing in drug cases was explained to the students by Judge Nolan. "It was cool to see the sentencing process and also when someone pleads guilty," said senior Danielle Burns.
