Attorneys argued cases with the precision of seasoned lawyers. Defendants spoke about why they were on the witness stand. All were high school students eager to take part in this year’s WSU Extension 4-H Know Your Government Conference. Teens also took on the roles of jurors, witnesses, and reporters in mock trials in Thurston County courtrooms.

Ben Hansen from Bonney Lake, Pierce County, was on the jury of a fictitious murder case.“Being a juror is a huge responsibility because you are deciding someone’s future,” said the 18-year-old Ben. “We learned a lot about bias and how important it is to only talk to other jury members about the case. I look forward to real jury duty because it will be an opportunity to give back to the community.”

Over 300 Washington state youth and adults took part in the conference. Delegates prepared for the four-day event in their home counties by visiting courthouses, participating in local mock trials, and learning about judicial proceedings. Once in Olympia, volunteer judges and attorneys from Thurston and Kitsap counties mentored the youth and presided over trials.

Tory Brusewitz, 18, from Lake Stevens, Snohomish County, pored over the details of a case she rosecuted.
“I love to debate,” said Tory. “The sessions in Know Your Government help me think quickly on my feet. I learned how to communicate better with witnesses and defendants,” added Tory, who plans on becoming
a police officer.

Jan Klein, Washington State University Extension 4-H Teen Coordinator, said teens learned the significance of our judicial system and how various participants impact a court case.

“The teens discovered how decision-making, critical thinking, and public speaking skills can affect the proceedings,” explained Klein. “They came away knowing that as attorneys, jurors, and witnesses, lives
can be changed depending on how someone argued a case or presented evidence.”

Workshops offered delegates opportunities to learn hand-writing analysis, fingerprinting, and blood typing.
Forensics professionals provided hands-on traveling labs for youth to practice their evidence-gathering techniques.

A legislative breakfast sponsored by Microsoft and Chevron highlighted the conference. Teens were joined by their lawmakers to discuss issues of local importance. Linda Kirk Fox, Associate Vice President and Dean, WSU Extension, encouraged the youth to continue their citizen involvement

.“Democracy is not a spectator sport,” said Fox. “It requires active citizenship to be effective.”

Also at the breakfast the Chevron Community Pride Award was presented to the 4-H Renaissance Roosters club from Kitsap County. The club, working with many community members, created the "Pumpkin Project” where they planted, harvested, and sold pumpkins, then donated over $2,500 dollars from the proceeds to their local food bank.

WSU Extension 4-H would like to thank our generous
conference sponsors: Microsoft Corporation; Chevron/
Texaco; Tim’s Cascade Snacks; and Brock, Carpenter,
McGuire & DeWulf, P.S., Attorneys at Law.