Lisa Marchesoni
Posted: Saturday, February 13, 2010 7:07 am

Chief Justice Janice M. Holder listens to a case argued before the Supreme Court Friday at the Rutherford County Courthouse.

Aspiring judge Chris Behm and fellow Eagleville senior Beth Hassell were fascinated to participate in the Tennessee Supreme Court’s Advocacy Legal Education for Students program Friday at the Courthouse.

They listened intently as attorneys presented arguments in a theft case before Supreme Court Chief Justice Janice M. Holder and Justices Cornelia A. Clark, Gary R. Wade, William C. Koch Jr. and Sharon G. Lee.

About 600 students from 13 public and private high schools, including home school associations, in Rutherford and Cannon counties met with attorneys and judges to learn about the cases appealed to the Supreme Court. The students heard arguments in one of three cases.

Eagleville students heard Assistant Attorney General Ben Ball discuss the case with the issue of whether the criminal offense of theft of services includes the fraudulent leasing of public housing.

In the case, three women were charged with theft after they were accused of falsifying their income to get lower rent at Gallatin Public Housing Authority. They were accused of obtaining services between $1,000 and $10,000 by deception.

Assistant Attorney General Ben Ball argued the rent should be considered a service because it is housing in exchange for a fee.

But Assistant Public Defender Robert DePew of Sumner County argued a lease is not a service.

After the one-hour arguments, about 200 students gathered at First Baptist Church where they asked Ball and DePew questions in a session moderated by Circuit Court Judge Don Ash.

Eagleville teacher Rod Key asked Ash to poll the students to determine whom they thought would win the case. By applause, the students believed Ball would win.

During the pre-planning sessions, Ash said Riverdale High School students asked attorney Darwin Colston how he represented murderers he knew were guilty.

Ash said being a lawyer is about integrity and honor. It’s your obligation to protect rights.

“If the worst guy doesn’t get protected, the best guy doesn’t get protected,” Ash said. “It’s all about protecting our Constitution.”

When asked how they thought they did, DePew replied he didn’t have any idea but added he didn’t have any “major faux paus.”

Ball noted the justices didn’t ask him many questions.

“I thought it went reasonably well,” Ball said.

Hassell said the experience made her get the feel of the courtroom.

“We really enjoyed the program and are glad to be a part of it,” Hassell said.

Behm said it was good to see justice from different points of view.

Once the justices make their rulings, the opinions will be forwarded to the students.

They both believe DePew will win his case.