Area High School Students Learn About Legal Field During Leadership and Law Week

The program was created nearly 20 years ago in Dearborn County.

Photo via the Dearborn County Prosecutor's Office.

(Dearborn County, Ind.) - It’s Leadership and Law week here at the Dearborn County Prosecutor's Office. 

Judge McLaughlin started the program nearly two decades ago to allow local high school students who are interested in careers in the legal field to get a hands-on experience. 

This year, 11 local students are participating. 

On Monday, students received an overview of the criminal justice system. They attended court for initial hearings with Judge Cleary and Judge McLaughlin. Then they heard from numerous speakers. Presenting topics on the overview of the criminal justice system and how charges are filed, Prosecutor Deddens spoke. State Representative Garrett Bascom talked about the role of elected officials and the legislative process. Detectives Gena Allen and Derek Stevens spoke about the role of law enforcement/detectives and how to conduct interviews. CSI Charlie Olsen touched on the role of Crime Scene Investigators. Monday afternoon ended with a K9 demonstration by Deputy Konner Jackson and his K-9 partner, Alita.

On Tuesday, students heard from Det. Derek Stevens on Career Options and the Process for Investigations. Then students had the opportunity the hear from Kris Heitmeyer, Director of 911 Operations. They received a tour of dispatch and got to talk to dispatchers and see how operations work. Coroner Cameron McCreary stopped by to share what he and his deputy coroners respond when called out and how they interact with law enforcement when a matter is criminal in nature.

Next was a law enforcement round table. Officers talked about what their daily responsibilities look like in their job along with what brought them to law enforcement. We had officers present from numerous local law enforcement agencies like Indiana Gaming Commission, Excise, Conservation (DNR) as well as Sheriff’s Department, Indiana State Police, Lawrenceburg Police, Greendale, Aurora and a Marshall from Moores Hill.

Students also got the chance to visit the Hamilton County Coroner and Crime Lab in Cincinnati. Here, they learned about autopsies, forensics and how important this role is in the criminal justice system.

Today is a mock crime scene. With the assistance of law enforcement, students are divided into detectives and crime scene technicians. The CSI students are taking photos, dusting for fingerprints and collective evidence. The Detective students are out interviewing witnesses and gathering information.

All of this is done for a mock trial the students will be holding on Friday.