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Randall (R2) Dunkin, a junior at North Adams High School (NAHS), recently participated in Ohio University’s Summer Law and Trial Institute (SLTI). The highly competitive SLTI is a two-week program for high-achieving students, primarily from Southeast Ohio. Its goal is to increase high school students’ understanding of the law and its opportunities. The program is designed to foster interest in all aspects of legal education, legal service, and legal issues while developing the next generation of professionals in the legal, advocacy, and community fields.
As one of 24 students selected from a pool of over 90 applicants for this program, Randall met and interacted with attorneys and judges, conducted a mock trial with a real judge, and interacted with current law students and law school graduates. While on campus, he watched an oral argument at the Ohio Supreme Court and met with Ohio Supreme Court Justice Melody J. Stewart, the first African American woman elected to the Ohio Supreme Court. Other activities offered during institute activities included visits to the Athens County Court of Common Pleas and meetings with nongovernmental organizations, including Southeastern Ohio Legal Services and the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio.
At the end of the first week with SLTI, students auditioned for various roles in the final trial. The students were then divided into four teams, two prosecution teams and two defense teams, with three attorneys and three witnesses per team. Randall was chosen as captain of the prosecution team that presented the case of New Colombia v. Chris Archer. The case was presided over by Judge Zachary Saunders of the Athens County Probate and Juvenile Division, and the case was sent to a jury after the case was concluded. The defendant, Chris Archer, was found guilty of manslaughter and criminal hazing when Randall’s team won the SLTI mock trial.
During the final awards ceremony, Dunkin was awarded the SLTI Most Promising Professional Award for his performance in the institute. He thanks Mr. Darryl Porter, NAHS Mock Trial team coach and American History teacher, for his background knowledge that helped him earn this recognition.
The SLTI is developed, coordinated, and implemented by the Center for Law, Justice, and Culture in collaboration with the Ohio University College of Arts and Sciences, the Athens County Court of Common Pleas, the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio, and Southeastern Ohio Legal Services. Larry Hayman, Esq. is the Program Director of the SLTI and Director of the Legal Engagement and Pre-Law Program at the Center for Law, Justice, and Culture and the Center for Advising, Career and Experiential Learning.
For more information about SLTI, visit https://www.ohio.edu/cas/law-center/about/summer-institute.
