Elementary School Criminal Law Mock Sentencing Scenario: R. v. Potter and Weasley

Both Harry Potter and Ron Weasley are charged with taking a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent. Ron is also charged separately with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle. This scenario teaches elementary students in Grades 5 & 6 about the criminal justice system and deals with offences under the Criminal Code and with sentencing principles of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

The scenario contains two parts: the jury trial and the sentencing process. The scenario could be given as homework, an in class exercise or students could prepare their roles in advance and hold a mock jury trial in the morning and a sentencing hearing in the afternoon. The package includes details of the crime, charges, the crown case, three witnesses, submissions, and questions for students.