Transitions to Host Mock Trial on April 15th

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month.  This year, we are hosting a mock trial at the Union County Courthouse on April 15^th at 6:30 p.m.  Whenever there is a scandal surrounding sexual assault, many people ask how this could have happened in our community.  Including many people from the criminal justice system, including President Judge Michael Hudock, Judge Michael Sholley, District Attorney Michael Piecuch, Assistant District Attorney Jeffrey Crossland, North Penn Legal Services Managing Attorney Peter Macky and a representative from the Buffalo Valley Regional Police, showcases how Union and Snyder Counties are working together  to stop sexual assault.  

Mock trials have been used throughout the country for this same purpose.  Colleges, military bases, and communities have all used mock trials to raise awareness about sexual assault.  For me, this mock trial serves two purposes.  The first is to show victim/survivors that our community cares about them.  We acknowledge the difficulty in coming forward, telling what happened, cooperating with the police through various hearings and time passing and eventually, going to trial.  The second is to show perpetrators that we take sexual assault seriously.  So seriously in fact, that local judges and district attorneys will donate two evenings of their time, in addition to their regular jobs, to practice and present an awareness event. 

This is not to say that the response to every sexual assault reported in our community is to be praised, but it is through events such as this that we strengthen the relationships between victim advocacy and the criminal justice system.  These relationships are central in getting victim/survivors the services and justice that each person who has been victimized deserves. 

The mock trial will present information about the night in question from the victim, her friend, the perpetrator, his friend, a police officer and a toxicology expert.  Opening statements will be given, witnesses will be heard, closing statements will be given and the jury will then be polled.  Usually, a jury deliberates and must come to a unanimous position regarding guilt on each charge; however, in the interest of time, we will poll the jury members that have been randomly selected from the audience.  Audience members can also tweet us @TransitionsofPA using  #guilty or #notguilty and we will also report those numbers to those in attendance.  After these decisions have been stated, a short film will be viewed showing the events in question.  We believe this event will generate conversations about sexual violence within our community and hope to see you there!

“I Think Something Happened Last Night” Mock Trial

April 15, 2015

6:30 p.m.

Union County Courthouse, Main Courtroom

103 South Second St. Lewisburg, PA 17837

If you have any questions, or want additional information, please contact Katy at 570-238-2975.