schools in court

High School Students Come to Court and Learn Life Lessons

Students from three county high schools witnessed the Anne Arundel County District Court in action on April 15. They filled the courtroom of Judge Danielle M. Mosley, who leads a program called Schools in the Court, which educates students about the legal, financial, personal, and sometimes physical consequences of making bad decisions.

“This is a normal day in court, and the students see defendants who are many times not much older than themselves,” Judge Mosley said. “We want the students to learn how the court system works but, perhaps more important, we want them to understand how making wrong choices about things such as speeding, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, drug use, and other crimes can deeply and adversely impact their lives.”

In addition to watching criminal cases, the students heard from victims and people who have been convicted of drinking and driving. They learned about the legal and financial consequences of being charged with drunk driving, and met with a member of the Maryland Shock Trauma Center’s medical staff, who detailed the physical effects of bad judgment when operating a motor vehicle.

“We bring students to court for a day to try to prevent them from ever appearing before us as defendants,” said Judge Mosley.

The Anne Arundel County Partnership for Children, Youth and Families has provided a grant to the Anne Arundel County Public Schools to cover transportation costs to and from the courthouse for the program.

"This is a normal day in court, and the students see defendants who are many times not much older than themselves.”
Judge Mosley