Girl Scouts to Put Big Bad Wolf on Trial

Just how many laws did that Big Bad Wolf break when he blew those pigs’ houses down?

At the very least, destruction of property. But assault with a deadly weapon--meaning his lungs--might be a tough one to prove in court.

Such are the questions a group of Valley Brownie Scouts will tackle when they put the Big Bad Wolf on trial at Los Angeles Superior Court in Van Nuys on Saturday.

About 1,000 Girl Scouts from across the Valley will conduct mock trials, meet lawyers and judges and inspect the court’s lockup area as they recognize National Law Day with a Girl Scout Law Day celebration of their own.

“It’s an opportunity to use the court system as a forum for education and show the scouts how the justice system works,” said Jerrianne Hayslett, court public information officer.

While the Brownies watch a court video on the Big Bad Wolf’s trial, older scouts will take part in a mock trial--with girls playing the role of district attorneys, defense attorneys, bailiffs and jurors as the case is heard by real judges.

The Scouts will also be taken on a tour of the courthouse and will meet some of the many professionals who have a made a career in the justice system--including representatives from the California Supreme Court, the district attorney’s office, the Police Department, the coroner’s office and the Probation Department.

“It has always been a goal of the Girl Scouts to educate the girls and make them better prepared for a life,” said Jason Katz, a spokesman for the group.