At Covenant House New Jersey (CHNJ), we create individualized programs that empower young people experiencing homelessness and survivors of human trafficking. Every young person who comes through our doors begins with the essentials: food, shelter, safety, and stability. From there, our goal is to provide high-quality services that help them build the skills and confidence needed to start a new chapter in their lives.
Our programs focus on five key areas: Education, Employment, Financial Literacy, Wellness, and Social Navigation. Recognizing that everyone learns differently, we offer opportunities through traditional classroom instruction, technology-based learning, small group activities, and hands-on experiences that are both engaging and fun. Above all, we believe that supportive relationships and innovative programming can be transformative.
This summer, our legal team introduced a new way to challenge and inspire our youth by hosting Covenant House New Jersey’s first-ever Mock Trial. The simulated court case was designed to teach participants about the legal system while building public speaking, critical thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.
To make the experience even more engaging, the team created a fictional murder mystery involving a famous musician whose saxophone had been poisoned with peanut oil, triggering a fatal allergic reaction. With multiple suspects and plenty of twists, the case gave participants the opportunity to investigate the facts and argue their positions in court.
Five youth initially signed up to take part, serving as attorneys, witnesses, and the defendant, while staff members filled in the remaining roles. In keeping with the theme, our Music Room was transformed into a courtroom complete with a witness stand and jury box.
Despite a few last-minute challenges, including one defense attorney being called away for a job interview and another youth stepping in with only three hours to learn the case, the event exceeded all expectations. A full jury pool turned out for the trial, and participants remained engaged throughout the two-hour proceeding. Jurors then deliberated intensely for an additional 30 minutes before reaching their verdict.
The response was overwhelmingly positive. Many youth expressed interest in participating in future trials, and staff members remarked that it was some of the highest levels of engagement they had seen across any CHNJ programming.
Inspired by the success of the first event, we set out to make the next trial even bigger.
Onward to Essex County Superior Court
On August 13, the Essex County Superior Court, with The Honorable Jennifer Critchley presiding, graciously hosted Covenant House New Jersey’s second mock trial.
Using a “murder-for-hire” case adapted from another state’s mock trial program, the team spent a month preparing for the event. Interest was so strong that youth filled every role, eliminating the need for staff participation. Participants met regularly to develop their characters, prepare testimony, and refine their legal arguments before appearing in court.
Judge Critchley made the experience truly memorable. Before proceedings began, she welcomed participants into her chambers and even allowed them to wear her judicial robe for photographs. Throughout the trial, she took time to explain courtroom procedures and key concepts within the American criminal justice system, creating valuable learning opportunities for both the youth participants and observing staff.
The day was educational, inspiring, and rewarding for everyone involved. Judge Critchley was highly impressed by the preparation and performance of the youth, whose dedication and enthusiasm were evident throughout the proceedings.
We extend our sincere thanks to Judge Critchley and the Essex County Superior Court for hosting this incredible experience. We also want to recognize our legal team members, Allison Madden and Parker Swanson, whose hard work made these events possible.
Allison, one of CHNJ’s in-house attorneys, provides legal support and advocacy for our youth. She recently discussed our legal work here. Parker served as our summer legal intern before returning to CUNY Law for the fall semester. Together, they helped create a unique educational opportunity that challenged, engaged, and inspired the young people we serve.
At Covenant House New Jersey, we are always looking for innovative ways to help our youth learn, grow, and discover new possibilities for their futures. These mock trials are a perfect example of that commitment and a reminder that when a community comes together, incredible things can happen.
