Centennial High School students get look at legal system in action

Centennial High teacher Elliot Wnek strives to have his students learn about criminal justice and the courtroom outside the classroom.

Wnek, a criminal justice teacher, has taken his students to see assault trials and invited lawyers to speak in his classroom.

"He goes through a lot of trouble to make a lot of different experiences for us," said Karen Rosado, 17, a senior.

But instead of taking his students on another field trip, he brought the courtroom to the classroom by hosting the Arizona Court of Appeals off-site arguments in Centennial's auditorium.

"It gives them an idea of the way lawyers handle their arguments, answer confidently and think on their feet," Wnek said. "These are life skills they definitely need."

About 150 criminal justice students attended the off-site arguments. The students heard arguments from both sides and afterward asked the lawyers questions about the case.

"Probably the most interesting part was to see both lawyers defending two different people and act civil to each other at the same time," said Jessica Novalesi, 17, a junior.

After arguments, students ate lunch with the judges and lawyers to talk about the court system and the legal field.

Court of Appeals Judge Daniel Barker started the idea of holding off-site arguments at high schools six years ago.

"For students, it allows them to see themselves as future leaders of the state and courtroom," Barker said. "It helps them become more familiar with the court system."

He said the court only goes out to two schools every year and has a long waiting list of schools to visit.

"We go to schools that show a real interest in preparing their students as real leaders in their community," Barker said.

Wnek said one of the most important aspects of inviting the judges and lawyers was to have students see an alumnus come back as a law clerk for the Court of Appeals, because it shows students the possibility of pursuing a career in law.

Students listen to the Arizona Court of Appeals holds their off-site arguments at Centennial High School in Peoria.