Most nights I watch two to three episodes of Law and Order ; therefore, I am an expert on the law. My ability to solve almost any case presented made me realize I was a perfect candidate to be a juror on one of the mock trials at the National Advocacy Center (NAC).

I called Anne Marie Sullivan who is in charge of the jurors at NAC and made my appointment for June 16. A week before I was scheduled to serve, I received a three–page explanation of protocol at the center, a parking pass, an invitation to lunch, and directions to the parking lot. I was to be at the center from 8:15 am to 3 pm.

At the center, Sullivan greeted the volunteer jurors and took them into a classroom to await instructions. The 23–volunteer–jury pool was diverse, age 16 to over 90 years old. At least half the group had served before. Christy Lester, age 16, was serving for the second time. Lester is a straight A student and a rising senior at Gilbert High School in the fall. She knows exactly what she wants to do with her life and being a lawyer is a major part.

Mary Aubrey, a federal prosecutor from Knoxville in the Office of Legal Education and a member of the faculty at NAC told the jurors the case would include two prosecutors for the US, two lawyers for the defense, three witnesses, and a judge. All players are actual prosecutors who work for The US Department of Justice. The mock trial is part of a mandatory intensive two–week course for the prosecutors. The courses are designed to provide prosecutors with the very latest tools in trial advocacy and cutting edge expertise in specific subject areas of prosecution.

Sullivan numbered the jurors and each group of six was taken to a courtroom by a law clerk who took care of any need a juror might have. The clerk, who was from Connecticut, was also one of the instructors. The six jurors in my group contained three senior citizens, one high school student, and two college students, one of whom wants to be a judge when she finishes school.

The case was criminal and involved drugs. This same case is used during the mock trials for two years; therefore, I cannot give specifics.

Jurors’ deliberations were videotaped and observed by the attorneys. After the foreman gave the verdict, the jurors were asked to criticize the attorneys’ presentations and answer questions. One attorney asked if jurors had the impression government lawyers had infinite resources and access to the latest technology. The jurors responded they did have that impression.

The professionalism, hospitality, and physical makeup of the National Advocacy Center was impressive. People from all over SC and the US participate. This is not only an excellent facility for attorneys all over the US to attend training, but members of the community have an opportunity to participate as well. Not only are jurors needed, but participants can also role play in jury selection.

Those interested in being a juror should call Anne Marie Sullivan at the Advocacy Center, 803-252-2578.