Southport Scouts earn law merit badge
Participating in the mock trial at Southport Methodist Church on March 14 are, from left, back row: Kristi Poole (police officer), Joel Peaslee (former friend of the defendant), Jake Brewer (defendant), Draco Peaslee (defense attorney), Judge Charles Dow, Jacob Bishopp (prosecuting attorney for the state of Maine); front row: Ziggy (Troop 238 mascot), Troop Grandmothers Jean "Nini" Thompson, Evelyn "Mema" Sherman, and Nora "Grammy" Brewer (jurors); Ethan Barter (witness), Bonnie Wormwood, Tammy Blackman, Becky Singer, Jim Singer (jurors); Meegan Burbank (Attorney and merit badge counselor), Attorney Richard Elliott Sr. (Troop 238 mentor, juror and Eagle Scout). Missing from the photo was Sarah Sherman (Scoutmaster and juror). Courtesy of Sarah Sherman
Participating in the mock trial at Southport Methodist Church on March 14 are, from left, back row: Kristi Poole (police officer), Joel Peaslee (former friend of the defendant), Jake Brewer (defendant), Draco Peaslee (defense attorney), Judge Charles Dow, Jacob Bishopp (prosecuting attorney for the state of Maine); front row: Ziggy (Troop 238 mascot), Troop Grandmothers Jean "Nini" Thompson, Evelyn "Mema" Sherman, and Nora "Grammy" Brewer (jurors); Ethan Barter (witness), Bonnie Wormwood, Tammy Blackman, Becky Singer, Jim Singer (jurors); Meegan Burbank (Attorney and merit badge counselor), Attorney Richard Elliott Sr. (Troop 238 mentor, juror and Eagle Scout). Missing from the photo was Sarah Sherman (Scoutmaster and juror). Courtesy of Sarah Sherman
Southport's Boy Scout Troop 238 earned the Law Merit Badge by conducting a mock trial at the Southport Methodist Church on Saturday, March 14.
Judge Charles Dow from Waterville presided over the trial and Attorney Meegan Burbank instructed the Scouts, their parents, grandparents and friends in their various roles during the trial. The exercise ended in a hung jury and defendant Jake Brewer was found not guilty of pirating movies on his cell phone.
Other requirements of the merit badge included learning the history of law, how to become a lawyer, the difference between civil and criminal law, and the different areas of practice a lawyer can concentrate in, which was taught by Troop 238 mentor, Attorney Richard Elliott Sr., as well as how laws and law enforcement work together, which was taught by Officer Larry Brown of the Boothbay Harbor Police Department, and included simulating a traffic stop with the Scouts.
Troop 238 would like to thank all the adults who helped with the merit badge and with the mock trial. It was a very memorable learning experience for everyone involved.
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