The Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida hosted ‘Kids Kourt’ on Saturday. Kids argued cases in a mock courtroom setting with a real judge.
Judge Robert Branning is used to hearing pleas. He is a Lee County circuit judge who presides over criminal cases. On Friday, he committed the man suspected of a Fort Myers killing to a state hospital after being found incompetent.
On Saturday, he was still wearing judges robes, but in a much different venue. Branning presided over “Kids Kourt,” hosted by the Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida. It gave families the opportunity to learn how a real courtroom works.
The kids were paired up with Assistant State Attorney Francine Donnorummo and argued ‘cases’ in front of the judge. Dads were on defense. Two siblings requested one day a year to stay up late. Another asked for a corgi dog.
In that case, the judge was able to work out a compromise after a staff member broght a plush corgi from her office. The event was organized through Level Up! Dads, a program at the Children’s Advocacy Center designed to strengthen father-child relationships.
