Mock trial team back for second year

This year, the Central High School Mock Trial Team is returning for a second year of competition. The team is meeting on Tuesdays and Thursdays and the competitions will be taking place in late October and early November. Returning member, Anna Harris (11) said, “I am looking forward to reading the case file for this year and getting to know my new team mates.” 

Mock Trial consists of a competition team of six members, three of whom are witnesses and the rest are attorneys. All members are given a fake court case containing witness testimony and evidence. Then teams are assigned a side, either prosecution or defense, and go to court to compete in fake trial. This process is completed three times and each round the teams go against new teams on different positions. At the end of the season the top teams in the area are selected to attend the state competition.  

Last year the two teams had limited success, but all of the members had a great experience and learned a lot. As last year was the first year, both the coaches and team members are hoping to improve for the upcoming competitions. This year, returning members are planning to share the knowledge they gained last year with the new members to help the teams improve. Hannah Green, a returning member, said, “I think everyone will do better than last year because now we have done it before and can have a better idea of how and what to prepare for.” 

This year the team will also be working with three new attorneys. Central High School graduates, who do not work at the school but work as lawyers in the surrounding area, return to Central to assist the Mock Trial teams. They provide insight about how to write openings, closing, and examinations, while also teaching about how the court system works. The attorneys are one of the best resources for the teams as they work to ensure the teams are fully prepared for competition.  

Last year, Mike Fahey, former Central student, was the main attorney that worked with Vicki Deniston-Reed, AP and Modern World History teacher, to run Mock Trial at Central. Fahey taught the team the basics of the court system and provided the main strategy for the team. This year he will be joined by three more attorneys who will help the teams prepare for the upcoming competitions. The students participating are excited to have new attorneys along with Fahey. Green said, “I think the teams will do better with four coaches because there will be more opportunities for one on one time if a member needs to strengthen a weakness which will improve the team as a whole.” 

While many members think the team has a lot to improve on, overall members are excited for the upcoming competition year. Harris said, “I believe our teams will have to work on being confident regardless of how intimidating the other team is, but I feel the teams will do better this year because we are more prepared and know what to expect.”