Run in with the law

Date: 12/15/2009

RUN IN WITH THE LAW -- Students studying forensic science at Holyoke Catholic High School sat in as jurors during two mock trials at Chicopee District Court on Friday.

Elms College law students acted as prosecuting and defense attorneys as well as witnesses during the all-day proceedings, supervised by their professor and Attorney Caroline Murray and Attorney Charles Healey III, the acting judge.

"I love this process!" Patricia Janke, a senior Paralegal Studies major at Elms, told Reminder Publications. "I found my niche going into my second career."

Janke was a labor advocate for the United States Postal Workers Union, prior to enrolling at Elms College. She said the mock trials provided her and her peers with practical learning experience.

"My students have [racked up] many lecture hours but not enough in the field," Murray explained of the need for mock trials. "I'm just so proud of them [for putting these trials together today]."

Murray noted Healey and others within the area's legal community are always eager to help her students learn the ropes so they may be successful professionals.