WHHS Mock Trial gives students the opportunity to learn more about various constitutional issues, as it pertains to law, court procedures and the current judicial system. Critical thinking, debate and research skills are key to the competition in order to formulate comprehensive and cohesive arguments.
Students and their mentors typically spend hours preparing and drafting arguments as both the plaintiff and defense attorney for the case specially designed by volunteer attorneys for that year.
This year, the Ohio Mock Trial case focuses on the First Amendment and the right of free speech. The case takes the form of a Civil Trial case about the deprivation of rights as it pertains to open demonstration.
“Mock Trial is a great way to improve your public speaking, analytical thinking and acting. This club has given me a great knowledge in law and helped me become a sharp witted person on the spot,” Team Auctoritas member Srijan Kalva, ‘21, said.
The WHHS Mock Trial team recently competed at the Hamilton County Courthouse on Feb. 7 for the regional competition. Of the three WHHS Mock Trial teams, Team Auctoritas, Latin for Authority, won both of their trials, both as the plaintiff and the defense. Most notably, Louis Ke, ‘23, won an award for Outstanding Witness and Lucy Phillips, ‘21, won an award for Outstanding Attorney.
“I joined mock trial this year and I like it because I like public speaking and also our team practices are amazing,” Ke said.
The team’s performance and wins qualified them for the Ohio State Mock Trial competition on March 12, where they will compete with 26 other schools from around the state to advance to the National Mock Trial Competition in Evansville, Ind.