01/28/2016

High School Mock Trial-News Release

High School Students Head to Court, Tackle Timely Issues in Mock Trial Competition

COLUMBUS  (Jan. 28, 2016) - More than 3,000 high school students will enter courtrooms across the state on Friday, January 29, to take part in the Ohio Center for Law-Related Education’s (OCLRE) 33rd Annual Ohio Mock Trial Competition.

The 2016 Ohio Mock Trial case focuses on Fourth Amendment protection against unreasonable searches and seizures as it applies to use of force by an officer to deter or eliminate threat of harm to the officer or the public. In this year’s case, fictitious defendant Officer Green is charged with felonious assault after using deadly force against a juvenile accused of armed robbery.

Ohio Mock Trial District Competitions will be hosted in 27 counties throughout Ohio and more than 1,000 legal professionals will serve as volunteer judges, competition coordinators and team advisors.  Ohio Mock Trial is Ohio’s largest high school academic competition and among the largest high school mock trial programs in the nation.
 
Each Ohio Mock Trial team consists of five to eleven students who assume the roles of witnesses and attorneys to present both sides of an original case based on a constitutional issue. Each team will compete in two trials against opposing teams.

“In addition to teaching students how the U.S. Constitution is relevant to their lives,” said OCLRE Executive Director Lisa Eschleman, “mock trial provides a unique opportunity for students to learn and practice analytic and research skills. Presenting a trial before a panel of judges and attorneys is an authentic experience they will carry with them throughout their lives.”
 
Teams that advance from the District Competition will compete in the Regional Competition on February 19.  Regional winners will compete in the State Competition on March 10-12 in Columbus. The 2016 State Champion will represent Ohio at the National High School Mock Trial Championship in Boise, Idaho, May 12-14.
 
OCLRE is a private non-profit, nonpartisan organization whose goal is to improve society by developing citizens empowered with an understanding of our democratic system. OCLRE is sponsored by the Supreme Court of Ohio, Ohio Attorney General, Ohio State Bar Association and the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio Foundation. The Ohio Mock Trial program is funded in part by a grant from the Ohio State Bar Foundation. 

Note to editors:
 
Counties hosting Ohio Mock Trial district competitions: 
 
Butler, Clermont, Columbiana, Cuyahoga, Delaware, Hamilton, Huron, Franklin, Hancock, Hocking, Lake, Licking, Lorain, Lucas, Marion, Medina, Montgomery, Pickaway, Richland, Scioto, Stark, Summit, Trumbull, Tuscarawas, Union, Washington, Wood