8th graders see process of mock trial at U.S. District Courthouse [Video]

TYLER, Texas — On Tuesday, 71 students from Bishop T.K. Gorman Catholic School and The Brook Hill School hopped off their respective buses for a tour of the William M. Steger Federal Building and United States Courthouse in downtown Tyler.

However, after going through metal detectors, the students soon realized this was more than a simple walk-through field trip. The rest of their afternoon involved participating in a full-fledged mock trial inside the U.S. District Courthouse.

The exercise has been held for more than 20 years and is sponsored by the Smith County Bar Association and the Smith County Bar Foundation in conjunction with Law Day on May 1.