Teaching Children About the Judicial System

Twenty-four kids from ages eight to fifteen from region one received a tour of the court houses and participated in a mock trial today. The kids were in court, joined by Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin who watched on as a stolen lunch was tried in court. We stopped by for a quick look at the children in action, who were mentored by attorneys Anthony Sylvester and Kevin Arthurs.  We spoke with Superintendent Dwayne Sutherland who shared what they hope to achieve with the programme.”

Dwayne Sutherland

Supt. Dwayne Sutherland, Deputy O.C, Region One, Belize City

“The objective of the program is to familiarize our young people of the courts and its functions, the role and the responsibilities of the judge and other judicial officials. During today’s activities the participants were able to get a tour of both the Supreme and Magistrate court. As well as they were spoken about in regards to what is a witness, what is evidence. They were also given lectures to what is criminal law and civil law. As we speak they are going through a practical exercise in partaking in a mock trial. With this type of exposure it is hope that these young people will have a better appreciation of the court system and well as a wider awareness of the different processes that one will have to go through when dealing with a civil or criminal matter. By having that knowledge it is believe that these kids will be a better position to choose wisely. This program is one of its first but is certainly not the last as we intend to continue with the working relationship with the court as this is part of a wider plan to have our young people at a very early age in life to be exposed to the entire justice system.”

As a part of the wider objective, the children will also be taken to visit the prison and the police stations.