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High school students take over Loudoun Circuit Court in law camp
Shortly after 9:30 a.m. June 27, Rebecca Smith stepped before a Loudoun County Circuit Court jury.
Like a seasoned pro litigator, the tall blonde explained why her client, Flame Petrole, should be found not guilty of arson in the fire that burned Petrole's house down.
“Pay close attention to who was actually present at the time of the fire,” Rebecca said, pointing out lapses in the fire marshal's investigation, including his failure to speak with Petrole for more than a week after the fire and a faulty lineup that included Petrole and five clean-cut policemen.
Although she appeared comfortable and confident, this was 17-year-old Rebecca's first trial in an actual courtroom.
The rising senior at Dominion High School participated in the 2008 Leadership in the Law Summer Camp along with 23 other rising seniors from Loudoun and Fauquier counties. The camp culminated in four mock trials featuring Petrole, a flame thrower and contortionist who worked at the Kit Kat Night Club.
Rebecca was part of the three-person defense team in one of two criminal trials where Petrole had been charged with arson. The other two trials were civil cases in which Petrole sued her insurance company because it didn't pay her a settlement after her house burned down.
The jury in Rebecca's case ruled in favor of her and teammates Kate Poisson, 16, of Potomac Falls High School and Mike Garrett, 17, of Park View High School.
Several well-known Loudoun and Fauquier residents participated on the juries, including Supervisor Eugene Delgaudio (R-Sterling), Loudoun County Commonwealth's Attorney Jim Plowman, Middleburg Mayor Betsy Allen Davis and Lovettsville Mayor Elaine Walker.
Members of the Loudoun Bar Association portrayed characters like Petrole and witnesses Herbert Singe -- a three-time convicted arsonist -- and local drunk Sam Guzzler, who frequents the Kit Kat Club.
Judges from Loudoun and Fauquier presided over each case.
“This is really one of those great times to be a judge,” Loudoun County Circuit Court Judge Burke McCahill told six of the students after their civil trial. He said helping with the camp each year gives him “a sense of renewal.”
Rebecca, Kate and Mike said they learned a lot about the legal process throughout the week, including the different types of law.
“I know how to argue with my mom better now,” Mike said.
All three said that they still want to study law in college.
“[Law camp] has made me way more interested in the law,” Rebecca said.
Kate, who is involved in theater, said she was a little unsettled by how her acting experience could help win over a jury, rather than just the strength of her argument.
Lydia Day, a rising senior at the Highland School in Fauquier County, also said she is still interested in a law career.
“[Law camp] was a great experience,” she said, adding that she enjoyed meeting all of the people involved and seeing the legal process from the inside.
While the students spent most of the camp preparing for the mock trials and learning about the law, they also got to go white-water rafting and participate in the ropes course at Camp Highroad in Middleburg, where they stayed all week. All agreed that those bonding activities helped them come together and work as teams for the mock trials.
On June 23, participants got to meet Virginia Supreme Court Justice Barbara M. Keenan, who told them how being a lawyer can help others and encouraged them to develop good writing and communication skills.
“You guys just decide what you want to do, and you're three-quarters of the way to doing it,” Keenan said.
At the end of camp, attorney Rhonda Paice, who served as chairwoman of the camp, said she was proud of all the participants.
“When we get kids who love it as much as we do, it's just icing on the cake,” she said.
The camp was sponsored by the Loudoun County Bar Association, Rotary Club of Leesburg, Loudoun Law Foundation, Fauquier County Bar Association and donations from individuals.
Contact the reporter at jwagoner@timespapers.com
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