TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — Frank Nims Middle School in Leon County has a new pre-law magnet program.
Classes include an in-depth study of law history, the judicial system, forensic science, conflict resolution and policymaking.
Students enter the program in sixth grade. In seventh grade, this group will take a practice bar exam. If they pass, they'll act as lawyers during school-related trials.
“That attorney must meet with the administration attorney,” said Frank Nims Principal Dr. Benny Bolden Jr. “They can do a stay or we can go to mediation. If we can’t come to a resolution in regards to the offense then we will take it trail and to court.”
This gives students an opportunity to immediately put their law knowledge to use.
“I think it will be fun because there’s things like if someone gets their phone taken away they can get an appeal or something to get it back,” said Frank Nims sixth-grader Anthony Perez.
After the students spend a year practicing law, as 8th graders they can run to become the sitting judge for the entire school.
“They’re getting the hands-on experience, the hands-on experience,” said magnet coordinator Altovise Mitchell. "They can take this experience and go on to college and become these lawyers and policymakers."
