Pictured left to right: back row – Brandon Copeland, Erich Hawbaker, Allison Freeman, Veronica Brestensky, and Mariah Mandy
Front row- President Judge Shawn D. Meyers, Cayla Amsley-Mummert, and Kimberly Jackson
The Franklin County Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division recently welcomed eighth-grade students from James Buchanan Middle School, Greencastle-Antrim Middle School, and Shippensburg Middle School to its annual Law Day program.
As part of the event, students were recognized by Law Day Chair Cayla Amsley-Mummert for their essays submitted to the Franklin County Bar Foundation’s Law Day Essay Contest. This year’s winners were:
- 1st Place: Payten Summers, James Buchanan Middle School
- 2nd Place: Pedro Magalhaes, James Buchanan Middle School
- Tied for 3rd Place: Kaelyn Leedy, James Buchanan Middle School
- Tied for 3rd Place: Maggie Lloyd, Greencastle-Antrim Middle School
Veronica Brestensky introduced this year’s Law Day theme, “The Rule of Law and the American Dream,” and shared remarks on its significance.
Students also had the opportunity to observe a criminal mock trial, with Young Lawyers Division volunteers serving as attorneys and witnesses. The trial was presided over by President Judge Meyers. A special guest appearance by Officer Dudley, the Franklin County Courthouse dog, helped put one of the witnesses at ease — and quickly became a highlight of the program. While everyone did an excellent job, Officer Dudley may have stolen the show.
After the jury returned a not guilty verdict, President Judge Meyers spoke with the students and offered valuable insight into the judicial system.
