The courtroom fell silent as the Honorable Sarala V. Nagala entered. The jury sat poised, and attorneys gripped their notes as witnesses took a collective breath. It may have been a mock trial, but for the students in Advanced US Government and Politics and Advanced American Studies: Criminal Justice classes, it felt entirely real.

On Monday, students traveled to the US District Courthouse in Hartford to take part in a simulated civil trial — a texting-and-driving case that tested not only their understanding of the law, but their ability to think critically, speak persuasively, and collaborate under pressure.

Before the trial began, students met with Attorney Craig A. Raabe and law students from the University of Connecticut School of Law, who offered tips on courtroom etiquette, questioning techniques, and legal argumentation. “It was as close to a real case as possible,” said Aaron Urbina ’25, who served as one of the defense attorneys. “There was a real judge, we worked with real lawyers, and we got to ask questions about their professions. This experience deepened my desire to pursue law — it confirmed that being a trial lawyer is something I truly want to do.”

Opening statements set the stage for a heated case. The direct and cross-examinations that followed were sharp and dramatic, with students embodying their roles as attorneys and witnesses with confidence.

While students from the US Government and Politics class acted as attorneys and witnesses, those in the Criminal Justice class made up the jury, listening carefully before deliberating. “We had to make sense of the testimony and reach a decision together,”  said Lydia Warren ’25. “It made me think deeply about responsibility as a young driver and how our actions affect others.”

When the gavel fell, the learning didn’t stop. Judge Nagala and Attorney Raabe offered feedback, praising the students’ confidence, preparation, and evidence-based arguments. “Their performances were compelling,” the pair shared in their feedback. “They raised questions even seasoned lawyers might not have considered.”

“My Criminal Justice class last year made me want to pursue law. This experience only solidified that passion,” said Leila Boland ’25. “The interactive style of learning was so much more engaging than just reading about court structure in a textbook.”

The mock trial was part of Pomfret’s experiential education program, where learning happens by doing. Students gain knowledge and skills through experience, reflection, and real-world application rather than through passive instruction.

For Aziz AbdullaZoda ’25, who delivered the plaintiff’s opening statement, the day offered a deeper understanding of how abstract concepts come to life. “Presenting my opening statement in the federal courthouse was the closest I’ve come to applying classroom thinking to real life. We were challenged to build our arguments from scratch — writing, rewriting, and arguing with purpose.

The day concluded with lunch alongside Judge Nagala, Attorney Raabe, and the courtroom deputy, where students asked thoughtful questions about careers in law, the hardest cases they’ve faced, and how their work connects to the checks and balances of American democracy — the very ideas they’ve been studying in class. 

Through this immersive experience, students didn’t just learn about the justice system — they lived it. They stepped into real roles, made real decisions, and reflected on what those choices meant, using curiosity, creativity, and courage to connect their learning to the world beyond the classroom.

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