Final preparations are being made for the 5th annual Michigan Regional High School Mock Trial Tournament this weekend at the Macomb County courthouse in Mt. Clemens.
The Michigan Center for Civic Education has sponsored the event since 1982 with a focus on bringing law-related civic education to students through a challenging, stimulating and educational event.
This year, the center and the Macomb County Bar Foundation have been working with dozens of volunteers and high school teachers to prepare for the Saturday event in which 16 student teams will participate.
Macomb County Circuit Court Judges Carl Marlinga, Kathryn Viviano, Joseph Toia, Probate Judge Sandra Harrison and District Court Judges John Chmura, Matthew Sabaugh and Kathy Wiegand are among the jurists taking part in the competition. More than 35 volunteer attorneys also will be taking part in the March 3 event.
A mock trial is designed to reenact much of what might take place in a trial court, organizers say.
Students take on the roles of attorneys and witnesses and compete against each other in real courtrooms in front of real judges and lawyers.
As in a debate, participants must adjust to the strategies employed by the opposing side.
In general, mock trials draw upon historical events, trials of contemporary interest, school or classroom situations, or hypothetical and entertaining fact patterns.
John Berry, former executive director of the State Bar of Michigan once described the mock trial program as a “unique opportunity for young people to learn about the legal system, while at the same time practicing cooperative learning, critical thinking and having positive interactions with adults.”
“Participating in mock trial will certainly give a young person interested in a future legal career the chance to experience the challenges of the courtroom firsthand,” he said.
“However, for those following other paths, it is still a valuable and challenging exercise in reasoning, public speaking and intellectual performance under pressure.”
Each year, the center develops new case materials rotating between civil and criminal cases.
This year’s fictional case focuses on a clash of cultures and social activism.
Oakland, Kent and Washtenaw County also are holding regional events with state finals scheduled in Lansing on March 24.
Students from the following schools are scheduled to take part in Saturday’s event: Anchor Bay High School, Yale High School, Lutheran High North High School, Lakeshore High School, Cardinal Mooney High School, Memphis High School, De Le Salle Collegiate High School, Richmond High School, Port Huron High School, St. Clair High School, Lakeview High School, Marine City High School, St. Mary Catholic High School and Warren Woods Tower High School.
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