| Bar Bulletin |
May,
2003 |
|
MSBA News |
|
Legal Drama Unfolds
in MSBA's High
School Mock Trial Competition
~Elizabeth Seton High School Wins 2003 Championship~
By Janet
Stidman Eveleth
Every year,
thousands of
Maryland high
school students, teachers, attorneys and judges engage in exciting
courtroom drama known as the Maryland State Bar Association’s Statewide
High School Mock Trial Competition. Student teams, coached by teachers and
volunteer attorneys, enact a mock trial while a volunteer judge
deliberates. Victorious teams advance until the final two compete for the
statewide championship. This popular competition, now in its 20th year,
teaches young people about the law and enhances their understanding of the
legal system.
The 2003
championship match between Elizabeth Seton High School in Prince George’s
County and Bishop Walsh High School in Allegany County was held in the
Court of Appeals courtroom in Annapolis on April 25 with the Honorable
Glenn T. Harrell, Court of Appeals of Maryland, presiding. After over 500
lively performances, the two mock trial semi-finalists were Frederick High
School in Frederick County and Mount Hebron High School in Howard County.
While Elizabeth Seton High School emerged as the statewide champion, every
student who participated in the mock trial competition was a winner.
Through this
interactive educational exercise, high school students learn firsthand
about the rule of law, trial procedures and the role of attorneys and
judges. They gain insight into the workings of our justice system and
better understand its function in society. They see the law in action and
develop a more constructive attitude about our country’s legal system.
Since 1983, almost 26,000 young people have emerged from this competition
as well-informed citizens who are more knowledgeable about our legal
system.
This year, 1,800
high school students benefited from MSBA’s mock trial competition. A
record 126 high school teams competed, assisted by about 800 volunteer
attorneys and judges. The competition also attracts family and community
support, so roughly 6,500 people were involved in the Association’s public
education program, gaining a new appreciation and understanding of our
legal system.
MSBA’s Citizenship
Law-Related Education Program (CLREP) has presented this educational legal
contest since 1983. Working with students, teachers, volunteer attorney
coaches and judges, CLREP maps out the competition, forms school teams,
selects and analyzes a case and works with participants to master team
strategy. Most teams devote an average 100+ hours of preparation and
competition time to the mock trial program, although the time commitment
does go as high as 150 hours for some teams.
This year’s case
involved legal issues tied to the timely topic of Ecstasy. Essentially, a
young person hosting a party mixes this drug into a friend’s drink, and
the friend subsequently dies. A wrongful death suit evolves. Through this
mock trial, students learn the real consequences of using a serious drug
like Ecstasy as they explore the legal ramifications. The trial also calls
attention to the abuse of Ecstasy, a problem that is skyrocketing across
Maryland.
As MSBA
President-Elect Harry S. Johnson congratulated all of the students at the
Association’s 2003 Mock Trial Awards Ceremony, held at the conclusion of
the championship match, he praised all of the students’ accomplishments
and exemplary skills. “I applaud your work,” he proclaimed. “Preparation
is a big part of being a trial lawyer; it is very important and you all
were well prepared. You have benefited from a great learning experience.”
Johnson reminded
the young people that “you don’t achieve success alone” and recognized the
parents, teachers, attorneys and judges who supported them in this
competition. He complimented CLREP for its many high quality law-related
education programs. These accolades were echoed by Chief Judge Robert M.
Bell as he praised MSBA for “choosing to invest in this state’s young
people at a high level, giving something back to the community.” Bell
concluded, “You have achieved a momentous goal.”
For 20 years, MSBA
has presented the mock trial competition as a public education program. It
enables young people to learn about the law, our court system and the
legal system in a fun and entertaining way. The volunteer attorneys and
judges enjoy the competition too, and find it quite rewarding. They
interact with students in a creative and educational environment and get
caught up in the excitement along with the students.
“The true value of
the mock trial competition is that it brings the law to life for over 1800
Maryland students each year,” states CLREP Executive Director Ellery
“Rick” Miller. “They have the opportunity to present their case before a
real judge in a real courtroom. It gives the participating students and
teachers an in-depth, hands-on understanding of the role of the courts,
judges and attorneys. It is unique!”
CLREP, the mock
trial competition’s administrator, presents a number of opportunities for
Maryland attorneys and judges to volunteer in public education programs in
state schools. It also sponsors Law Links, peer mediation, school violence
prevention and a wealth of publications and materials. It recently
released a special Attorney’s Guide offering helpful hints to attorneys
visiting school classrooms. MSBA members can obtain a free copy by calling
CLREP at (410) 706-5360 or by visiting www.clrep.org.
|
