Macomb judge to preside over high school mock trial finals

Macomb County Probate Judge Carl Marlinga has been chosen to serve as the presiding judge in the state finals of the Michigan High School Mock Trial Tournament.
 
The event will be held at the Veteran’s Memorial Courthouse in Lansing on Saturday, March 19.

As part of the tournament, sponsored by the Michigan Center for Civic Education, teams of students are assigned a “case” and act out the roles of attorneys and witnesses. The teams compete in real courtrooms and argue their cases in front of real judges and lawyers who have volunteered to judge the competition.

“I have been impressed with the level of preparation, diligence and skill of these young men and women,” Marlinga said. “This competition is a great way to learn about our legal system. Even if these students do not choose a career in law, I am sure that they will come away from this program with a much better appreciation of how we strive to decide disputes accurately and justly.”

The event runs from 8:00 a.m. to 6:40 p.m. The courthouse is located at 313 W. Kalamazoo.