Area Students Learn About Legal System at Summer Internship Program

The Leadership & Law Program takes place every summer at the Dearborn County Courthouse.

Photo by Prosecutor Lynn Deddens.

(Lawrenceburg, Ind.) – A handful of area high school students received a valuable opportunity to learn about our legal system through a week-long hands-on summer internship

The 2024 Leadership and Law Program wrapped up last Friday.

Each year, the program focuses on fundamentals of our legal system. This year, students attended initial hearings in court, learned about roles in the criminal justice system, traveled to the Dr. O’Dell Moreno Owens Coroner’s Office and Hamilton County Crime Laboratory, participated in a mock crime scene investigation and mock trial.

At the mock crime scene, students were divided into the areas they were interested in. Some students were crime scene investigators and learned how to process a crime scene and collect evidence. Others served as detectives and interviewed witnesses.

The program culminated with a mock trial before Honorable Sally McLaughlin. Students played roles such as prosecutor, defense attorneys, and jurors.

It never ceases to amaze me how quiet and reserved the students are when they step into the Courthouse on Monday. When Friday and the mock trial rolls around, they are prepared and ready to try the case!” said Prosecutor Lynn Deddens. “Thank you to all the students who participated in the program this year. Can’t wait to see what the future holds for you!