S tudents visit the Moakley Courthouse and practice democracy by engaging in mini mock trials in real courtrooms. Volunteers work closely with students to help them build their cases, guiding them through discussions, writing exercises, and role-playing activities designed to teach students about justice, and democracy. The exercise culminates with the student lawyers trying their case in front of a jury of their peers. From assigned ownership in the “Teddy Bear Trial,” to exploring the constitutional rights of students via the landmark Supreme Court case Tinker v. Des Moines, students gain a deeper understanding of how our judicial system functions and learn how to think critically, consider alternate points of view, and build an argument to present in front of others.