Brooklyn Supreme Court hosts courtroom event for disability support program

August 20, 2024 Phoebe Yusen, Special to the Brooklyn Eagle

Principal Law Clerk Ronald Cosme stands at the center of the Kings County Supreme Court’s Ceremonial Courtroom during a mock trial event. The event, hosted by the 2nd Judicial District Equal Justice Committee in collaboration with AHRC New York City, brought individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities into the courtroom to participate in a simulated trial as part of AHRC's summer tournament. Eagle photos by Robert Abruzzese

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On Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, the Second Judicial District Equal Justice Committee (2nd JD EJC) welcomed AHRC New York City, a program supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, to Kings County Supreme Court for a court tour, mock trial and jury-service presentation.

The EJC’s collaboration with AHRC NYC began in 2023 when 2nd JD EJC Chair and Kings County Supreme Court Justice Joanne Quiñones welcomed AHRC NYC for a court tour and mock trial.

Senior Court Analyst Lissette Morales leads the jury service presentation, discussing the critical role jurors play in the justice system. This shot captures the perspective from the jury box, emphasizing the importance of the participants' role in the trial. — Senior Court Analyst Lissette Morales leads the jury service presentation, discussing the critical role jurors play in the justice system. This shot captures the perspective from the jury box, emphasizing the importance of the participants’ role in the trial.

By popular demand, the mock trial returned this year as the final event of AHRC’s summer tournament, a series of games in which program participants from four boroughs — Brooklyn, Manhattan, Staten Island and The Bronx — compete against each other. The teams from Brooklyn and the Bronx advanced from the preliminary mock trial rounds — held on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024 — to the finals at Kings County Supreme Court. According to AHRC Day Habilitation Program Director Edwin Rodriguez, Jr., other summer tournament events have included a cooking challenge, a basketball skills challenge and a scavenger hunt.

An AHRC NYC participant, playing the role of a witness, is questioned during the mock trial.

Led by Court Officer Kevin Carter, the court tour provided participants with an informative lecture on the structure of the New York State court system, an overview of careers in the courts, and a glimpse into the inner workings of the courts and the roles of judges and other court personnel.

A panel of summer judicial interns presides over the mock trial, providing guidance and support to the AHRC NYC participants as they assume the roles of courtroom personnel.

Senior Court Analyst and 2nd JD EJC member Lissette Morales delivered the presentation, which discussed the jury process and highlighted the critical role that jurors play in our justice system.

Associate Court Clerk Taneka Teel helps the summer judicial interns swear in each other before taking the stand.

The mock trial addressed the fictional case of The People of the State of New York v. Brooklyn Bridges, in which high school student Brooklyn Bridges was accused of intentionally causing a chemistry lab fire the morning after failing a midterm exam.

Chief David Salazar assists an AHRC NYC participant, acting as a witness, to the stand during the mock trial.

The fact pattern was written by three of Justice Quiñones’ summer judicial interns: law student Sophia Francisco, high school student Lelolai Paulino-Dinzey and college graduate Alejandra Reyes.

The defense attorneys, played by AHRC NYC participants, passionately argue their case.

The mock trial was facilitated by these 2nd JD EJC members: Principal Law Clerk Ronald Cosme, Assistant Law Clerk Francisco Manriquez, Chief David Salazar and Associate Court Clerk Taneka Teel. Also participating were these summer judicial interns for Justice Quiñones: Amelia Campbell, Rachel Chang, Sophia Francisco, Lorena Gomez, Neil-Aryan Patil, Alejandra Reyes, Christopher Van Houten and Phoebe Yusen. In addition, Access and Equal Justice Coordinators Marcel Hinds and Latoya Phillip attended.

Principal Law Clerk Ronald Cosme pays close attention to the mock trial proceedings, ready to assist the AHRC NYC participants as they navigate their roles in the courtroom.

Thirty AHRC NYC participants served as attorneys, witnesses, court clerks and court officers. After both sides rested, the Kings County Supreme Court’s Ceremonial Courtroom waited with bated breath as the jury deliberated. When the jury’s foreperson announced their verdict, the Brooklyn team burst into applause in celebration of their win in the summer tournament.

Two summer judicial interns, serving as the prosecution team, argue their case during the mock trial. The event provided a valuable learning experience for both the interns and the participants from AHRC NYC.

The AHRC participants “enjoyed themselves and had a great experience,” Rodriguez reported, with one participant exclaiming, “I love this. This is awesome!” At the end of the visit, each participant received a reusable tote bag filled with Office of Court Administration “swag,” courtesy of the Office for Justice Initiatives.

AHRC NYC participants serving as the defense team present their arguments in The People of the State of New York v. Brooklyn Bridges. The mock trial allowed participants to step into the roles of attorneys and witnesses, gaining hands-on experience in courtroom procedures.

With more than 75 years of experience, AHRC NYC’s mission is to advocate for people who are not neurotypical to lead full and equitable lives. The organization supports more than 15,000 people annually through educational workshops, educational advocacy and recreational opportunities, among other services.

The jury panel, composed of AHRC NYC participants, listens intently during the mock trial at Kings County Supreme Court. In the background, Assistant Law Clerk Francisco Manriquez oversees the proceedings, ensuring that the participants understand their roles in the justice system.

The 2nd JD EJC was formed in November 2021, and its mission is to ensure the fair and equitable treatment of all court users, including litigants, court staff and the general public. Among its various goals, the 2nd JD EJC aims to foster partnerships and create opportunities for dialogue between community organizations and our courts to increase the public’s trust and confidence.

Hon. Wavny Toussaint (second from left) and Hon. Lorna McAllister (second from right) watch the mock trial alongside other members of the court and AHRC NYC participants. The event fostered connections between the judiciary and the disability community.

AHRC and the 2nd JD EJC look forward to continued collaborations in the future.

Phoebe Yusen is a rising senior at Dartmouth College and a summer judicial intern in the chambers of the Hon. Joanne D. Quiñones at Kings County Supreme Court, Criminal Term.