Law Day gives students hands-on legal experience

Bar association honors community servant

STEUBENVILLE -- An annual event sponsored by the Jefferson County Bar Association gave local students a hands-on look at the American judicial system and honored a community servant Thursday.

The 2024 Law Day saw students from Jefferson County Joint Vocational School and Steubenville High School compete in two mock trial sessions in the courtroom of Probate and Juvenile Judge Frank Noble Jr. at the Jefferson County Justice Center. Switching between defense and prosecution for each session, the students assumed roles as witnesses and attorneys, arguing their cases before panels of judges, who gave critiques and advice.

Following the sessions, students were led on a tour of the justice center by representatives from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department. Students also saw the bar association award its 2024 Community Legal Service Award to the Rev. Toni Hubbard.

Dillonvale county court Judge David Scarpone, the bar association's Law Day chairman, said the event has been continuing since the 1990s. Law Day is meant to introduce the bar and what it does to students and their parents, he said, as well as demonstrate the courtroom's role in settling disputes in the U.S.

"We feel this is a great way for students to learn how the system works," Scarpone said, adding that students don't have to become attorneys -- though many have chosen that direction -- but the skills they gain through mock trial are widely applicable.

The case being argued was State of Buckeye v. Ash Espinosa, a fictitious case created by the Ohio Center for Law-Related Education for statewide high school mock trial competitions.

As usual, Scarpone said, students performed "extremely well," garnering compliments from the judges.

Steubenville Municipal Court Judge John Mascio sat on the panel for both sessions. Involved in the mock trial program for years, Mascio said the participants this year did a "fantastic job" and continued the trend of students working hard and increasing the level of competition each year.

"It's a good day had by all," Mascio said. "The kids really enjoy themselves. They put in a tremendous effort, tremendous amount of time, and it really shows in their presentation. I always enjoy watching."

He continued, "The whole purpose behind the event is to work with students and, hopefully, spark some sort of interest among them in perhaps pursuing a career in the criminal justice system, whether it be as an attorney, probation officer (or) in law enforcement."

Mascio said he tries to meet with students after the competition, gauge their interest in law and invite them to shadow criminal justice employees -- something he said is "a good opportunity for them and rewarding for us. ... It's a good way to give back."

Joining Mascio on the first panel were Common Pleas Judge Michelle Miller and Noble. On the second panel were Toronto county court Judge Lisa Ferguson and attorney Eric Reszke.

Scarpone thanked the participating students for their time and said he was proud of their effort. Competing for JCJVS were Ireland Emery, Colleen Miles, Josh Earich, Hana Summers, Hayden Caldwell, Arrieonna Dorn, Cameron Mollenkopf, Victor Grimm, T Donahue, Ava Minadeo, Faith Stewart, Dale Palmer, Aubrie Bane, Hunter Thompson and Memphis Goad.

Competing for SHS were Jordan Fritz-Ratcliff, Katie Riley, Stanley Austin Zgurski, Rensi Gresko, Ashley Toothman, Noah West, Jayda Stinson, Jacob Burchfield, Madison Hickey, Gianna Barker, Hannah Martin, Aydan Manning, Liam O'Brien, Sarah Allen, Brody Saccoccia and Kaleigh Desrocher.

Toothman, who has been on the mock trial team for two years, said she was encouraged to participate by her uncle, defense attorney Steve Stickles. Toothman's role Thursday was as a witness, portraying the character Presley Aoki, a role she said involved memorizing lots of car facts. Also involved in theater, Toothman said she enjoys getting to portray other characters during mock trial.

"I just think (mock trial) is a lot of fun, very competitive and ... a little stressful, but the camaraderie between everyone is so fun," she said.

West, who has been involved in mock trial for three years, said he began looking into the program after a presentation from Prosecuting Attorney Jane Hanlin when he was in eighth grade. West, whose role was as an attorney, said mock trial is what sparked his interest in law, which he is considering pursuing.

"Being an attorney is really fun," he said. "You really are the captain of the ship. You've got to make sure everyone's in line, know what they need to know. ... You lead the team when you're an attorney -- you and your co-counsel."

Mascio acknowledged the instructors who spend many hours preparing the students for the competition, including JCJVCS teacher Jamie Freeman and attorney adviser Maresa Baes Taylor, as well as SHS teacher Cherie Metcalf and attorney advisers David Scarpone and Jane Hanlin.

Following the sessions, attorney Jerry Boswell presented the Rev. Toni Hubbard with the 2024 Community Legal Service Award. Boswell said the annual award is presented to "a non-lawyer in the community who has promoted a better understanding of the rule of law, encouraged greater respect for the law and courts, inspired a sense of civic duty and responsibility or made a positive contribution to government."

Hubbard is the co-founder and president of Hannah's House of Grace, which provides transitional housing for adult homeless women and seeks to lead them from a lifestyle of substance abuse to one of sobriety.

"I am speechless, and that is something because I always have something to say," Hubbard said, getting emotional. "I am so honored to be a recipient of this award. My heart is just so grateful. ... I just thank God.

"What I do, I do from my heart. I don't do it for any show or fashion. ... I do this because God has appointed me to do this. I am chosen by him. Not by man but by him."