U.S. Attorney’s Office staff stress importance of making smart choices to local students

MIAMI – Students from Bowman Ashe/Doolin K-8 Academy in Miami recently attended a Making Smarter Choices Field Trip at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida. 

Staff from the Law Enforcement Coordination and Community Outreach Section (LEC/COS) provided real-world examples to show students the perils of doing the wrong thing and how easy it can be to stray from the correct path.

Incarcerated inmate testimonial videos focused on lives wasted, regret and the desire for redemption.

“If I could be the good for you then maybe you could be the good for me,” said an inmate doing 25 years to life for the murder of a husband/father. “All I’m asking for is a little redemption.”

Unfortunately for him, time for redemption has passed. And that is what LEC/COS

Chief J.D. Smith stressed to the students. One mistake can change everything.

“Each day you have a choice to make,” said Smith. “Am I going to be a good person or a bad person? It’s a daily decision that is in your hands.”

The field trip is designed to motivate children to work hard, uplift themselves and their communities, and do things about which they feel passion.

“If you’re going to fail, you may as well fail at something you love,” said Smith.

The second part of the field trip consisted of a mock trial whereby students tried a murder case in a federal courtroom. Hands shot up as Smith asked who would like to be defense and prosecution attorneys. Roles also included bailiff, court clerk and jury—in which the majority of students participated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michele S. Vigilance played the judge role.

The case centered on fraternity hazing that went too far and ended in a student’s death. Each student with a speaking role was provided a script and advised to speak clearly, loudly, and confidently.

“The team that wins will be the one that can step up to the microphone and deliver,” said Smith.

The mock trial challenges students to come out of their shells and play the part. Post field trip evaluation forms from the students routinely sing the praises of the trial, from the roles to the décor and serious nature of the courtroom.

“Many of the students we receive throughout the school year are interested in becoming lawyers,” said Smith. “Our field trip gives them a sense of what it’s like.”

You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl.

Community Outreach Specialist John Hampton gets sworn in by a Bowman Ashe/Doolin K-8 Academy student prior to testifying during a recent mock trial. This trial was part of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida’s Making Smarter Choices Field Trip.

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