From Classroom to Courtroom: Students participate in mock trial at Altus AFB

U.S. Air Force Col. Jeff Marshall, 97th Air Mobility Wing (AMW) commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Justin Brundage, 97th AMW command chief, answer questions from Altus Junior High School students during Law Day at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, May 1, 2025. Marshall and Brundage welcomed the students as they arrived for the mock trial. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Lauren Torres)

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From Classroom to Courtroom: Students participate in mock trial at Altus AFB

Special Agent Isaiah Moore, assigned to Air Force Office of Special Investigations detachment 422, explains forensic investigations to Altus Junior High School students at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, May 1, 2025. This is Moore’s second year participating in Law Day. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kari Degraffenreed)

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From Classroom to Courtroom: Students participate in mock trial at Altus AFB

Special Agent Isaiah Moore, assigned to Air Force Office of Special Investigations detachment 422, shows Altus Junior High School students how to find fingerprints during Law Day at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, May 1, 2025. The demonstration was part of an interactive brief regarding forensic investigative techniques. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kari Degraffenreed)

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From Classroom to Courtroom: Students participate in mock trial at Altus AFB

Makyna, Altus Junior High School student, puts on specialized glasses to see fingerprints under an ultraviolet light during Law Day at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, May 1, 2025. Altus Junior High students had the opportunity to step into the shoes of investigators to learn how evidence is collected, analyzed, and used to build a case in court. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kari Degraffenreed)

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From Classroom to Courtroom: Students participate in mock trial at Altus AFB

A cell phone, prop gun, and powders used for finding fingerprints are boxed up near the end of the Law Day demonstration at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, May 1, 2025. The mock crime scene set–up gave students a closer look at how and where objects are found can become clues during a crime scene investigation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kari Degraffenreed)

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From Classroom to Courtroom: Students participate in mock trial at Altus AFB

U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Samantha Hulliberger, 97th Air Mobility Wing Judge Advocate adverse action chief, demonstrates to Altus Junior High School students how voir dire works at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, May 1, 2025. Voir dire is the jury selection process in which potential jurors are questioned by the court and legal counsel to determine their suitability, leading to their selection or dismissal. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kari Degraffenreed)

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From Classroom to Courtroom: Students participate in mock trial at Altus AFB

U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Samantha Hulliberger, 97th Air Mobility Wing Judge Advocate (JA) adverse action chief, presides over a mock trial during Law Day at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, May 1, 2025. Team members from JA gave Altus Junior High students advice on when to object, what kind of questions to ask a witness, and how to address a judge throughout the mock trial. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kari Degraffenreed)

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From Classroom to Courtroom: Students participate in mock trial at Altus AFB

Students from Altus Junior High School pose for a group photo at Altus Air Force Base (AFB), Oklahoma, May 1, 2025. The students came to Altus AFB for Law Day, an annual event put on by the 97th Air Mobility Wing Judge Advocate office to showcase military careers in law and criminal justice to students throughout the community. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kari Degraffenreed)

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From Classroom to Courtroom: Students participate in mock trial at Altus AFB By Senior

Published May 2, 2025
By Senior Airman Kari Degraffenreed
97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --

The 97th Air Mobility Wing Judge Advocate office hosted Altus Junior High School students for a mock trial at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, May 1, 2025.

Col. Jeff Marshall, 97th AMW commander and Chief Master Sgt. Justin Brundage, 97th AMW command chief, welcomed the eighth grade history students into the courtroom where evidence from a mock investigation was strewn across a table in the middle of the room.

Service members from the Office of Special Investigations, JA, and the Area Defense Counsel briefed the students on their roles within the military and the courtroom. The legal team then asked for volunteers to assume the roles of prosecutors, defense attorneys, and jury members for a mock murder investigation trial.

Law day showcases opportunities in legal, investigative, and defense roles to students interested in law or criminal justice who may not know about the specialized careers offered by the Air Force.