On Friday, February 9th, 2024, the Cobb County Superior Court hosted the first Courtroom to Classroom event of the year, welcoming nearly 200 fourth graders from East Side Elementary School. The event aimed to educate students about the legal system through a mock trial experience.
Superior Court Judge Jason D. Marbutt, one of the event's facilitators, expressed his enthusiasm for educating children, stating, "I love having the opportunity to teach kids about our jury system and due process. I was impressed with how seriously the kid jurors took their job!"
During the mock trial, the students had the opportunity to engage with judges and delve into a scripted trial to determine the guilt of "Jaime Joyride" in the alleged theft of bicycles. State Court Judge Henry R. Thompson highlighted the importance of public servants participating in community outreach programs, stating, "I think it is the duty of all public servants to participate in community outreach programs whenever feasible."
Following the trial, students interacted with representatives from the Cobb Sheriff’s Office’s Community Engagement Unit and met K-9 officers Rose and Boomer, along with their handlers, Angela and Deputy Jacob Long. These officers shared insights into their roles within the community and showcased tools used to ensure public safety, including bicycle and trike patrol units.
Looking ahead, the Cobb County Superior Court plans to host more mock trials throughout the school year, providing valuable educational experiences for fourth and fifth-grade groups. For inquiries about participating in future Courtroom to Classroom events, interested parties can contact Erin Mendez at Erin.Mendez@Cobbcounty.org or Lawlibrary@Cobbcounty.org.
For more information, individuals can reach out to Ross Cavitt, Director of the Cobb County Superior Court, at 100 Cherokee Street, Suite 130, Marietta, GA 30090, or contact the court via phone at (770) 528-1000 or email at information@cobbcounty.org. Media inquiries can be directed to the Media Point of Contact at (770) 528-1155 or govpio@cobbcommunications.org.