Sitting in a circle, the various lawyers and witnesses of the Mock Trial team discuss the possible strengths and weaknesses in both the defense and prosecution cases, and throw out different strategies on how to counteract them and catch other teams off guard. Among these individuals is Jay Jordan, an attorney that is serving on both the defense and prosecution teams, demanding a large, yet equal understanding of each case. After the meeting, Jay and I sat down to have a discussion about Mock Trial, the team’s plans for the year, and exactly what takes place:

JH: So could you give me a general overview of what Mock Trial is?

JJ: High school students have a case that all high school students have in this state. We evaluate the case, and then separate the plaintiff and defense teams and challenge opponents from different schools who have done the same.

JH: What exactly do you do?

JJ: I’m on both teams as a lawyer, so I have to make questions for four witnesses, two of whom are loyal to me as a plaintiff or defendant, and the other two are witnesses that I have to cross examine to strengthen my case.

JH: How do both defense and prosecution teams prepare for the trial?

JJ: We evaluate witness statements and build up strategies and theories as to the outcome of the case and/or crime.

JH: Could you summarize what the case is this year?

JJ: This year two students are caught cheating, a girl says she’s going to turn them in, both students corner the girl on a cliff, the next day the girl ends up dead, one student blames it on the other– murder trial.

JH: So is this all very strict, or is there a little room for goofing around?

JJ: In practice there’s always room to have fun, but usually we’re more serious than casual.

JH: How are these trials judged?

JJ: You have a judge and then you have a jury which is composed of actual lawyers and they evaluate the high school lawyers and witnesses and they deem the winner. Usually it’s by witness and lawyer scores combined, not by who actually won the case.

JH: So in past years, how has the Mock Trial team faired?

JJ: Well, I’ve only been on the team for two years, last year we didn’t do as well as we hoped we would. The year before that, they made it to states.

JH: What would you say is key in winning in Mock Trial?

JJ: Being on the same page. Lawyers have to communicate with their witnesses and every teammate has to be enveloped in the same strategy and know what they need to do in order to strengthen their case.

JH: As a team, how well would you say you function together?

JJ: Right now we’re ironing out the ambiguities of the case so it’s kind of hectic, but each day our case becomes more logical and differing opinions make for a strengthened perspective as to how we will present our case in court.

JH: As a team member, how did Mock Trial help focus your skills as an attorney?

JJ: Oral communication is increasingly important, right? So, this activity has helped me express myself more fluently in an actual, professional setting. It’s one thing talking to your friends and proving your point, but it’s another thing being judged by actual members of a profession which I respect, and being rewarded by my efforts to communicate to their level.

JH: Do you think you’ll be successful this year?

JJ: We’ve got a strong team. All of our members are seniors, and all but one are returning to the team. I’m confident that we’ll make it to states and win.