by Beth Filla
For the past several months, the Smith County Courthouse has been the center of quite a lot of activity and attention – the new Smith County Courthouse, that is! On Saturday, January 31, the current Smith County Courthouse was also abuzz with activity, as more than 50 students from 4 schools, along with coaches, parents, and fans, spent the day competing against each other, on various sides of courtrooms, during Region 7’s 47th Mock Trial competition.
Started in Dallas in 1979, Mock Trial continues to grow throughout the US and internationally, with events in all 50 states, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and South Korea. Mock Trial competitions are designed to promote an understanding of and appreciation for the American judicial system, while also strengthening critical thinking, team responsibilities, and public speaking skills. Students learn how to work together and cooperate with peers in a professional setting, helping each other fine-tune arguments, objections, and responses.
Hosted locally by the Smith County Bar Association and the Region 7 Education Services Center, teams from across East Texas meet at the Smith County Courthouse on the last Saturday in January to see who will move on to the state level. Participation is open to public and private high schools, as well as homeschool groups. Teams must have a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 10 students. Student teams have volunteer coaches, often attorneys and other legal professionals, to help guide them as they learn and navigate the rigors of the legal system. In October, a fictional case study is released to all participating teams. This fictional case includes both the prosecution/plaintiff and defense sides of the case, witness statements, and other case-related facts (along with rules of the competition).
Teams then spend the next few months learning about the case, identifying their team member roles (which include attorneys, witnesses, timekeepers, and artists), and developing and practicing strategies for prosecuting and defending the case. It is up to each team to determine how they will present their sides of the case.
At the competitions, the teams conduct a trial before a presiding judge, who maintains courtroom decorum and ensures judicial procedure, and in front of a jury of attorneys, who are the ones who score each of the team roles. Each trial lasts just under 2 hours, monitored by designated timekeepers for each team. The trial has all of the normal components of litigation, including opening and closing statements, direct and cross-examinations of witnesses, motions and objections, and presentations of evidence.
Participating in a mock trial is not just for kids dreaming of being an attorney. For many, mock trial is an exciting combination of debate, drama, and research skills, all while working within time constraints, team structures, and against opponents and their unique takes on the case. Mock trial provides skills that are applicable to all careers and life stages.
Once again, this year’s competition was incredible; all teams presented their cases extremely well. After three rounds of trials, the team awards were as follows:
1st place – Amicus Tyler
(Good Shepherd and Homeschool)
2nd place – Henderson High School
(Henderson)
3rd place – Brook Hill
(Bullard)
The Smith County Bar Association is proud to facilitate and support this event every year and is grateful for the attorneys, judges, and deputies who make it such a success. Congratulations to all of the participating teams and best wishes on future competitions. We hope that more legal professionals see the opportunities and benefits of this program and volunteer their time and expertise to area high schools.
For more information, please visit the Texas High School Mock Trial Competition website at www.dallasbar.org/?pg=TexasHighSchoolMockTrialHome.