District News

Mock Trial team advances to regional competition

 

April, 2011

 

Only three trials into their career and the Canajoharie Mock Trial team is already advancing to the regional competition on April 30 in Saratoga. During the week of April 4, the team defeated a team from Fonda-Fultonville High School twice and a team from Amsterdam once.

"They were very well-prepared and understood courtroom rules and protocol," said social studies teacher Blake Smith. "The witnesses were knowledgeable of their affidavits and their characters. They were also pretty good at improvisation."

The team consists of 12 seniors from Mr. Blake's AP Government class.

A mock trial is a hands-on exercise where students learn about the American justice system and the mechanics of litigation. Every year, the New York State Bar Association sends a fictional case - written by real attorneys - to schools. The case book includes an outline, evidence, affidavits, pictures, reference information, rules and other information.

During the "trial," students put together the prosecution (which includes opening and closing statements and cross-examinations) and are scored on a scale of 1-5.

Senior Grant Jones says he's learned a lot about law and how it works. "I've never done anything like this before. I'm just going with it and we'll see what happens," he said.

The team consists of: Kelsey Aldi, Peter Briele, Brittany Buccolo, Katherine Cole, Grant Jones, Zachary Wilder, Cora Soodsma, Marybeth Shults, Peter Schwab, Caitlyn Mosher, Emilie Liddle, and Hailey Dillenbeck.