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Students in the law magnet program at Canyon Springs High School had a first-ever opportunity to analyze a civil trial as the Eighth Judicial District Court brought its “Short Trial” Program to the school on December 7, 2007. The trial took place in the Leadership and Law Preparatory Academy Courtroom of the high school at 350 East Alexander Road in North Las Vegas. The Short Trial was arranged between the Clark County Courts and the Clark County School District.
The Short Trial Program compresses trials into a one-day process that aims to complete a jury trial quickly. The parties agree to spend no more than three hours per side to present their case to the jury. The jury is smaller, with three of four jurors required to reach a verdict. The program provides an opportunity to show young people the legal process, and give them first-hand experience.
At the conclusion of the trial, students were encouraged to visit with the attorneys, judge, marshal, court clerk, law clerk and court reporter to learn more about careers in the legal system. In addition, students were able to question the jurors about their participation in the proceeding and why they reached a specific decision.
Other Short Trial cases are planned for Canyon Springs in the future and the court intends to further this partnership with the Clark County School District to include truancy and juvenile hearings.
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