Mock Trial Team

 

2009 Mock Trial Blurb

1/15/09

- by Raina Stenberg

East Bay Arts is proudly returning to the CA State Mock Trial Competition. This will be our second year participating. Students from all grades are invited to participate in a mock court case arguing topics such as murder, and other various charges involved in criminal trials. This year’s case is titled People v Lane, and the defendant, Leslie Lane, is charged with arson and eliminated her right to free speech by inciting a riot. 

During the competition, each case is argued in front of court justices in a real courtroom. Preparing and performing in the Mock Trial Competition is rewarding as much as it is fun. Students enhance their skills in public speaking, debating, logic, problem solving, and reason through case studies and filling their various roles in the court system.

Many members of EBA’s prosecution team are new to the competition, but are rising to the occasion magnificently. They continually impress the attorney, teacher, and student coaches alike with their dedication and thought they put into their work. EBA’s defense team is also comprised of relentless, hardworking students, each of whom is an asset to the whole team.

EBA’s prosecution team competed against KIPP King High School during the practice round on Jan. 13th. We are proud to announce our victory against KIPP in verdict and scores. We realized this was KIPP’s first year in competition, and encouraged them to place high in the competition.

EBA’s defense team is going against Moreau Catholic on Jan. 15th in the second practice round of the competition. All the students are excited to get their turn to compete after months of preparation. Wish us the best of luck…

If anyone is interested in observing the competition, here is a link to a web site with the address to the courthouse and how to get there. Below are the competition dates as well. Hope to see you there!

http://www.alameda.courts.ca.gov/courts/superior/661.shtml

·        Thursday FEB 5th- EBA (prosecution) vs. Amador Valley High (defense)

·        Tuesday FEB 10th- EBA (defense) vs. Bishop O’Dowd (prosecution)

·        Tuesday FEB 17th- EBA (defense) vs. Oakland Tech (prosecution)

·        Thursday FEB 19th- EBA (prosecution) vs. COIL (defense)

If EBA advances to higher levels of competition, more dates will be posted…