Photo by Mike Brothers
Moultrie County Courthouse became a classroom with students from Okaw Valley High School civics classes participating in a mock trial. Circuit Judge Bradford Rau presided over the case with Brad Ackers students filling all other roles in the courtroom.

•November 29, 2017•

An Okaw Valley high school jury decided the driver of a stolen car was doing a good deed rather than committing a crime as they returned a not guilty verdict during mock trial proceedings in Moultrie County Circuit Court Nov. 17.

OVHS social studies teacher Brad Ackers took his civics classes to the Moultrie County Courthouse Friday. The students participated in a mock trial over which sitting Moultrie County Circuit Judge Brad Rau presided.

“The simulation allowed our civic students to fill the roles in the courtroom ranging from court reporters, clerks, prosecutors and defense attorneys to defendants, witnesses, jurors and bailiff,” Akers said of the exercise. “This gives them a chance to experience trial procedures in the actual setting.”

That setting was complete with presiding Circuit Judge Rau on the bench. Rau not only guided the students through the court procedure but answered questions afterwards.

His comments were based on his background as prosecutor and public defender, explaining he had defended people who were guilty in the past and was able to get them released when prosecutors failed to present a solid case.     Login or Subscribe to read the rest of this story.