Judge Nikki Tinker told the Gadsden City Council about the fourth annual middle school mock trial taking place Friday at 9 a.m. in the Gadsden City High School auditorium and invited the public to attend.

"It is amazing," Judge Tinker said of the program, which she described as unique in Alabama. The event will pit a student prosecution team representing a district attorney's office against a student defense team and will include participating attorneys from area offices as mentors and coaches. Assistants and guests mentioned by Tinker include Marcus Reid of the Etowah County District Attorney's Office, and Jefferson County District Attorney Danny Carr, who is scheduled to speak.

Tinker said the trial involves seventh- and eighth-grade students. The jury is composed of seventh- and eighth-grade students from Gadsden Middle School, who were selected because their school won the prior year. Participating students will receive recognition: each winning school receives a large trophy and $500, she said. Tinker also noted involvement from Gadsden State's court-reporter program and said the exercise aims both to teach students how court proceedings work and to expose them to legal careers.

The judge asked council members and citizens to come support the students. No formal action was required or taken by the council on the announcement.