Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week will take on legal dimensions tonight at 6:30 p.m. when NIU Health Services and the Delta Theta Phi legal fraternity present a mock trial in Swen Parson, Rm. 170.

Delta Theta Phi co-Dean K. Patrick Yarbrough said the trial will involve a defendant charged with driving under the influence and having an excessive blood alcohol level. He also said the case will be tried by licensed attorneys and be presided over by NIU College of Law Professor Cornelius Toole.

“Dan Porter, an assistant state’s attorney for DeKalb County, will serve as the prosecuting attorney,” Yarbrough said. “He has experience in this field of law because prosecuting DUI cases is part of his responsibilities.”

Yarbrough also said DeKalb-area attorney Scott Irwin will appear on behalf of the defendant.

“The jury will be selected from the audience at random and be given 10 minutes at the end of the trial in which to deliberate and deliver a verdict.

“We expect the trial to last about an hour or an hour and a half. There will also be a question and answer session following the trial at which both attorneys will take questions from the audience,” Yarbrough said.

Yarbrough also said DeKalb Police Officer Bill Fiether will demonstrate how a breathalizer test works Thursday at 6:30 p.m. also in Swen Parson, Rm. 170.