Students from Phoenix Elementary, Boothville-Venice Elementary, South Plaquemines Elementary, and Our Lady of Perpetual Help recently gained a firsthand look at the legal process through Project L.E.A.D., an interactive educational program that brings the justice system to life.
As part of the program, students participated in mock trials based on a fictional case involving a character named Johnny Smith, who was charged with distributing drugs on school property. The experience allowed students to move beyond textbooks and actively learn how courts function in real-world settings.
The mock trials were held in the Plaquemines Parish Courthouse, Division A, and the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal courtrooms. Students took on various courtroom roles, including prosecutors, defense attorneys, witnesses, the victim, and the defendant. The trials were presided over by 25th Judicial District Court Judge Kevin Conner, Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal Judge Joy Lobrano, and Port Sulphur Justice of the Peace Judge Brenda Hymes.
Project L.E.A.D., which stands for Legal Enrichment and Decision-making, was launched in 2000 by Judge Joy Lobrano and continues today under the leadership of District Attorney Charles Ballay. The program focuses on helping students develop critical thinking skills and understand the consequences of the choices they make during adolescence and throughout life. Lessons address peer pressure, accountability, self-respect, and personal responsibility, encouraging students to make informed decisions and avoid behaviors that could lead to legal trouble.
The curriculum uses realistic scenarios that place characters at moral and legal crossroads, showing how quickly poor decisions can lead to serious consequences. These scenarios are discussed in class and build toward the mock trial, which serves as the program’s capstone activity. Every sixth grader in the parish participates in Project L.E.A.D., which is taught by one of five Assistant District Attorneys and other District Attorney’s Office staff members, with Rae Riley being the Project L.E.A.D. Coordinator.
District Attorney Ballay says it is always great to see parents of the students at the mock trials and to hear from them on the success of the program.
Students from Phoenix Elementary and Boothville-Venice Elementary held their mock trial on May 7, 2026, at the Plaquemines Parish Courthouse, Division A, before Judge Kevin Conner. First Assistant District Attorney Sarah Tesvich instructed Phoenix Elementary, while Boothville-Venice Elementary was instructed by Assistant District Attorney Charles Lobrano.
Students from South Plaquemines Elementary and Our Lady of Perpetual Help participated together in a mock trial on May 8, 2026, at the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal before Judge Joy Lobrano and Justice of the Peace Brenda Hymes from Port Sulphur. Assistant District Attorney Avery Riley instructed South Plaquemines Elementary, and Assistant District Attorney Daniel Swear instructed Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
Pictured with the Phoenix Elementary students is Kim Turlich-Vaughn, Clerk of Court, Charles J. Ballay, District Attorney, Judge Kevin Conner, 1st Assistant District Attorney Sarah Tesvich and Rae Riley, Project L.E.A.D Coordinator
Pictured with the Boothville-Venice Elementary students is Kim Turlich-Vaughn, Clerk of Court, Charles J. Ballay, District Attorney, Judge Kevin Conner, 1st Assistant District Attorney Sarah Tesvich and Rae Riley, Project L.E.A.D Coordinator
Pictured with South Plaquemines Elementary students is Charles J. Ballay, District Attorney, Avery Riley, District Attorney, Judge Joy Lobrano and Justice of the Peace Brenda Hymes
Pictured with Our Lady of Perpetual Help students is Charles J. Ballay, District Attorney, Avery Riley, Assistant District Attorney, Daniel Swear, Assistant District Attorney
Pictured is Charles J. Ballay, District Attorney, Judge Joy Lobrano and Justice of the Peace Brenda Hymes
Pictured is Judge Joy Lobrano and Justice of the Peace Brenda Hymes
