In an effort to teach his students about the law and the justice system, Lindsey Jacobs has arranged for them to participate in a fake trial with real police officers, lawyers, and a judge.

This was the second year the grade six class from Ecole Morden Middle School (EMMS) has played out an imaginary court case. Last year Hansel and Gretal were tried and found guilty of vandalizing the witch's gingerbread house.

submitted by Lindsey Jacobs

Friday, Peter Rabbit was charged with theft of vegetables from a farm and the students role-played both the prosecution and the defence while their classmates made up the jury and the witnesses.

"I'm really proud of them," said Jacobs.

He added that the students loved running the skit and practicing.

"I was trying to prove him guilty of theft," said Thomas Kroeker, who played a crown attorney.

However, the jury decided that Peter Rabbit was not guilty of theft because he needed the vegetables to live.

"He hadn't eaten in a couple of days, so he was found not guilty due to the defence of necessity," said Lochlan Rempel, another student in Jacob's class.

"It was fun when we were at the court house, seeing if he'd be guilty or not," said Mary Ann Martens who added the court room and trial weren't what she sees on TV.

"We'd like to say 'thank you' to Madame Owens for setting it up and for the opportunity to do this," said George Fehr, who was a witness at the trial.