Lockhart Magnet School Visits the U.S. Courthouse for a Mock Trial

Students from Lockhart Magnet School took a field trip to downtown Tampa recently for a visit to the Sam M. Gibbons United States Courthouse. The visit was hosted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office. 

The day began with the mock trial of “Goldilocks and the Three Bears,” before U.S. Magistrate Judge Anthony Porcelli.  Students served as jurors, defendants, and witnesses while the AUSAs fought a good fight in the roles of prosecutor and defense attorney. In the end, the jurors sided with Goldilocks.

After the trial, the group was treated to a visit from two detectives from the Tampa Police Department, along with their canines. The dogs demonstrated their amazing search skills for the students.  The detectives also let the kids take turns donning some official police gear. 

The last stop on the tour was a visit to the U.S. Marshals Service.  The children learned about the important work the deputy U.S. Marshals do in keeping the courthouse safe, managing prisoners, protecting witnesses, and locating fugitives.  They watched the activities of the courthouse through the USMS camera system and had a chance to visit the holding cells.