High school seniors from Atmore participated in the Escambia County Bar Association’s annual Law Day event on May 4 at the courthouse in Brewton.

Every senior from Escambia County High School, Escambia Academy, Atmore Christian School and Precept Christian got a taste of what the judicial system is like in the state. Fourteen of the seniors were selected to be jurors for a real-life criminal trial case.

The jurors selected included Jade Adams of ECHS; Carson Barnett of EA; Gabriel Bennett of ECHS; Gary Campbell of EA; David Dobson of EA; Paolo Gorme of EA; Trae Lee of EA; Hannah Martin of ECHS; Justin Pearson of ECHS; Devon Robinson of ECHS; Micaiah Zundel of ACS; La’Jada Martazia Lee of ECHS; and Eric McCaskill of ECHS. Bennett and La’Jada Lee were selected as the alternates when the trial concluded after closing arguments.

Before the case was tried, newly appointed Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Lyn Stuart, an Atmore native, spoke about the Law Day program, its theme of the 14th Amendment and encouraged the seniors to do their civic duty.

“This is the second group I’ve spoke to as the chief justice,” Stuart said.

Stuart, an ECHS graduate, has served 29 years as a judge. Eight years before her first stint as a judge, she was a lawyer.

Stuart said there are many opportunities for those interested to go into the law business.

“There are many opportunities for you,” she said. “You need more than book learning. The best advice I can give is actual practical experience.”

Stuart said the Law Day program is unique because this is the only program in the state, which gives students an idea of how the judicial system works.

Stuart encouraged the seniors to commit to two things as citizens — to be a juror and vote in every election in which you are able.

On a personal note, Stuart said when she was first elected as a judge, she spoke all over the state.

During one event, a member of the audience asked her when she knew she wanted to be a judge, Stuart recalled.

“I said, ‘never,’” she said. “Who would’ve ever known that a woman from Atmore would be a justice of the Alabama Supreme Court? You can do anything as long as you do your best.”

Todd Stearns served as the prosecuting attorney for the state, while Mike Perry served as the defense attorney for the trial, which was the State vs. Leroy Dewitt Ackerman.

The trial included opening statements; the state and defense presented their cases; closing arguments; and jury deliberation.

The jury met for less than 10 minutes before deciding a guilty verdict for Ackerman on one charge each of possession of marijuana I, reckless driving, driving under the influence of a controlled substance, failure to stop at a stop sign and having an open container in a vehicle.