Tortolì, “Educating to legality”: a mock trial in class

They were lined up as if they were in a courtroom. Fifty fifth-grade students from the Central Elementary School on Via Monsignor Virgilio simulated a trial.

The students chose the roles of judge, prosecutor, lawyer and defendant, taking inspiration from real events in front of professionals .

In the courtroom were the prosecutor of Lanusei, Paola Dal Monte, the deputy Giovanna Morra and a host of lawyers. From Vito Cofano, president of the Forum, to Fabrizio Demurtas, number one of the Criminal Chambers, to colleagues Marzia Falchi, Patrizia Piras, Daniela Poloni and Alessia Pusceddu.

As the proceedings got underway, the little students pressed the adults with pertinent questions, showing attention and interest in the various procedural phases. At the end of the hearing, the little judge, explaining that the court had all the evidence to frame the alleged perpetrator of the crime, read the sentence of conviction.

Also attending the mock trial were teachers and the school principal, Santina Castrogiovanni.

The initiative is part of the activities included in a path of awareness of the legality of children, honored with the Italian Constitution .

Monday, a new appointment at the middle schools where the same lawyers, magistrates and the commander of the RIS from Pisa will be present with his collaborators for the simulation of an investigation on some finds found at the scene of a news story. "The event - said the lawyer Cofano - represented an important opportunity to bring the little ones closer to the world of justice, to the values of legality and to the functioning of the judicial system, through an engaging educational-recreational activity. The children, with great enthusiasm and curiosity, played the roles of judges, lawyers, defendants and witnesses, learning the importance of listening, respecting the rules and civil discussion. We firmly believe that educating about legality from a young age is an investment for the future, and initiatives like this represent a concrete way to build aware, responsible citizens who are attentive to their own and others' rights. We thank the teachers, the school management, the Lanusei Prosecutor's Office and all those who made this project possible, with the hope that it can become a recurring event in the schools of our territory".