Dorothy arrested, charged with theft

LIE fifth graders participate in Law Day 

The fifth-grade class from Laura Irwin Elementary gathered at the Big Horn County Courthouse April 29 for a special Law Day presentation to wrap up their unit on civics. 

The event was well attended by local court staff, attorneys, law enforcement, and local and state legislators. It began with some excitement as Mazi George, playing the role of Dorothy from “The Wizard of Oz,” was arrested and charged with the theft of a well-known pair of ruby red slippers and for her involvement in the death of the wicked Witch of the West.

Similar events have been organized for the past several years by Kristen Schlattmann, one of the Big Horn Basin’s supervising public defenders. 

Schlattmann worked with the Big Horn County Attorney’s office to put on a mock trial revolving around Dorothy’s time in Oz, with all the parts – from the judge, attorneys, witnesses, and jury –being played by fifth-grade students.

They opened the day with the Pledge of Allegiance around the courthouse flagpole and then turned their attention to local sheriff’s deputies who were present to “arrest” Dorothy for her alleged criminal actions. The officers explained the process of someone being arrested to the students, who were then allowed to follow the officers to the Big Horn County Detention Center where they witnessed the process of booking a potential inmate into jail and received a tour of certain parts of the facility.

Once the tour of the detention center was complete, they went to the district courtroom where they were greeted by District Court Judge Bobbi Overfield. The students were then able to work with Schlattmann, Big Horn County Attorney Marcia Bean and the Honorable Judge Overfield to put on a mock trial. Deputy County Attorneys Kim Mickelson and Jennifer Kirk also assisted.

Students had been selected by their teacher to serve as a student judge, student prosecutors, student defense attorneys and several student witnesses. The jury of Dorothy’s peers, also made up of fifth-grade students, heard testimony from witnesses like Mrs. Munchkin, the captain of the flying monkeys, and the Wizard of Oz himself. After a very brief deliberation, the jury voted to acquit Dorothy of all charges and she was released from Oz to return home to her farm in Kansas.

After the excitement from the day’s hearings, the students discussed the role of the state and national constitutions, the roles and importance of each branch of the government and have a question-and-answer period with local officials. 

Representative John Winter of House District 28 spoke to the students about his role as a state legislator and encouraged the students to become involved in politics when they got older. 

Deb Craft, who chairs the Big Horn County Commission, spoke to the students about the work of the county commissioners and how they set budgets and policy for the county, as well as supervise several county departments. The students learned the importance of each branch of government, and the checks and balances they provide each other to ensure the rights of all.

The students were very engaged in the conversation and asked a lot of questions to everyone present. The morning’s presentations, discussions, and tours were well received by the students, teachers, and court personnel. 

Law Day is an important opportunity to host or participate in discussions about the rule of law and its role in society, actively engaging the younger generations to become well equipped leaders as they continue to mature into young adults.