Judicial Outreach program
US District Court: Allentown PA
Case: Scott v. Harris 550 U.S. ___ (2007)

William Allen HS in Allentown and Saucon Valley HS in Hellertown came to the Federal Court House in Allentown to celebrate Juror Appreciation Day by acting as jurors in the case of Scott v. Harris. The questions of law for the jury of students to consider were:

1) Does a police officer who stops a high-speed chase by ramming a fleeing suspect's car violate the 4th Amendment's protection against unreasonable seizure?

2) Was it "clearly established" in federal law that an officer violates the Fourth Amendment by using deadly force during a high-speed chase?

In Judge Gardner's courtroom William Allen HS sat 2 juries and I was asked to portray Deputy Timothy Scott and Nathaniel Edwards of William Allen portrayed Victor Harris.

Deputy Scott was represented by Pam Foa & Mr. Harris was represented by Ben Cooper. After the closing arguments both juries found in favor of Deputy Scott, that's me, because of the superior closing argument given by my attorney Ms. Foa and photographic evidence proving Mr. Harris' recklessness. The Supreme Court found in favor of Deputy Scott as well in 2007.

Ms. Melissa Bell, Mr.John Lutte & Ms. Laura Quinter brought the astute legal minds from William Allen's Constitutional Law & Criminal Justice classes to adjudicate the case.

Afterwards the students worked with each of the lawyers as well as judge Gardner. The students worked with each of the lawyers to appeal the case, in the case of Mr. Harris, or prepare a defense, in the case of Deputy Scott. The students working with judge Gardner acted as a "Supreme Court" to hear Mr. Harris' appeal.