|
|
|
The Morgan School
27
Killingworth Turnpike
The Mock Trial Team
Can you imagine competition that requires strict planning and preparation daily, weekly, and finally concludes in just one opportunity to win? No, this sport is not like an athletic event where you test your skills in competition on a regular basis. This is MOCK TRIAL COMPETITION!
Give it your best in one singular display of knowledge, wit, skill, and procedure. Listen, think, and react in a moment as the defense protects and the prosecution attacks using the law of the land as its weapon; like a boxer who uses their left uppercut.
Verbally spar with one another hoping to deliver a series of “blows” that demonstrate that the long arduous work and preparation are a solid base for success. That is what The Morgan Mock Trial Team endures each year.
Practice; learning trial techniques, learning court procedure, discussing what elements their case side has, and finally getting one, six hour opportunity to react on the spot, object to evidence or the manner it is presented, and win or lose because of a momentary overruling by unsympathetic judges. That is mock trial. As an attorney, Paige Bogucki, in her first year of competition said, “Mock Trial participation is really a character building experience.” “You stand in a real court, try a real case, and develop organizational and self confidence skills that have helped me to hold myself well in debate in competition and in my school classes.”
These simulated trials introduce students to the realism of court procedures. Students assume the roles of bailiff, court clerk, attorneys, witnesses, and jurors using profile sheets of actual case history that outline essential testimony. Students then develop their case and try to snare the competition with poised carefully set traps. At the same time each team avoids the opponents’ carefully hidden plan to snare them and catch them off guard. Witness for the defense Ania Kadlof says “The mock trial experience allows me to be someone else as a witness. I walk in the shoes of a character and my role helps me to develop new skills and overcome the anxiety of being in front of people. You have to be able to speak freely in front of strangers and answer questions from prosecution attorneys who are always trying to throw off your testimony. One slip up and I could cost our team the chance to keep a defendant out of jail.”
Over the past three years the students have gained a wealth of experience and knowledge .The cases tried were both civil and criminal. The civil case involved a student suing his school system for not providing educational service. Last year the case was an attempted murder case and this year the case involved cyber stalking. Each case is an actual case that occurred. The team demonstrated wonderful success because of support received from the community. Clinton Police officers Joseph Flynn and Brian Pellegrino as well as F.B.I. agent Marty McBride have all met with the team and presented a perspective to the team regarding legal proceedings from the executive enforcement point of view. In addition a judicial point of view was well represented. Middlesex County Assistant District Prosecutor Barbara Hoffman worked with the team and local attorney Ken McDonough worked 2-4 hours a week with the team in 2005 and 2006.
Mr. Bill Barney, The Morgan School principal has provided additional support to the team that allows us to operate each year. This year the team was assisted by local Attorney Brad Sullivan. Brad was on a Mock Trial team in college and law school and added a needed perspective as a former middle school mock trial judge. |