By LuAnn Schindler
Publisher
Students get glimpse of how county government works
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October 19, 2023
LuAnn Schindler | SAM
The whole truth • Carter Bergman, portraying Old Farmer McDonald, gets sworn in during a mock trial at County Government Day, in Neligh, Oct. 5.
"In the criminal justice system, the people are represented by two separate, yet equally important groups: the police, who investigate crime, and the district attorneys, who prosecute the offenders. These are their stories."
You could almost hear the most famous two lines from TV's crime drama "Law and Order" before the case of Bill E. Kid began, Oct. 5, at the Antelope County Courthouse.
The mock trial is a yearly tradition during County Government Day.
Kid is accused of drinking at a party and starting hay bales on fire at McDonald's farm. Will the jury believe the standout athlete? Or, will justice prevail for the farmer who lost everything?
Under the guidance of Antelope County Court Judge Donna Taylor and county attorney Joe Smith, students fill rolls as jurors, attorneys, clerk magistrate, judge and bailiff.
Following an outline of details, witnesses testify under oath and may be cross-examined by the opposing side.
LuAnn Schindler | SAM
Court side • Antelope County Clerk of the District Court, Angie Mortensen, explains the clerk magistrate's role to Summerland students Matt Umphress and Dane Miller. They were selected during County Government Day, Oct. 5, in Neligh.
Two students sit at the clerk magistrate's spot, learning how the county official documents cases.
In addition to the trial, students met elected county officials, toured the law enforcement center and attended a learning session with the county officials they were appointed to.
Prior to the mock trial, Taylor explained the process a court case goes through, starting with the filing of a probable-cause affidavit.
Smith described his jobs as prosecutor and defender. Court magistrate Linda Mitchell and district court clerk Angela Mortensen gave instructions to students who filled those positions.
After evidence was presented and jury deliberations completed, Bill E. Kid was found not guilty by a jury of his peers.
Following lunch, students returned to the courthouse to review materials presented and participated in a Jeopardy-style contest.
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