Mock Trial: On the Road to Success

The American Mock Trial Association was founded in 1985 by Dean Richard Calkins of Drake Law School. Ever since 1985, this association has evolved to be “a lot more regimented,” in the words of former Mock Trial member and present attorney, Tommy Horne. 

The participating schools engage in competition in mid-January. The teams must portray the fictitious case on both the prosecution and defense sides. The teams consist of 7 members each and must assign roles to each member. There are 3 attorneys and 3 witnesses. The attorneys must create direct (questions that prove the witness innocent) and cross (questions to prove the witness guilty) examination questions to use on competition day. The witnesses must memorize their affidavits and be able to answer questions based on them. 

Lamar’s Mock Trial team this year is made up of two teams. In her fourth year, Isabella Durgin was named team captain of the Red Team, made up of Isabel Price, Emma Grace Johnson, Lucy Plott, Anika Ravi, and Isabella McGee. The Red Team “is gaining momentum to excel at competition,” said Durgin. I am the captain of the Blue Team made up of Virginia White, Anne Preston, Sophie Hines, Emily Hannington, and Madisen Daleo. My team is working to find its balance. Both teams consist of three new members and three experienced members. 

The teams are guided by the help of an attorney. The attorney that has provided much help and experience in law is Tommy Horne. Horne was on the Lamar Mock Trial Team when he was in high school at Lamar and he states that now, Mock Trial “is a lot more organized that it was when I was involved.” Tommy also expressed that Mock Trial “taught me that, deep down, I actually had an interest in the legal system.” Tommy brings a great deal of real-life experience to the team. He helps us by giving us input and objecting to our questions, bringing a tremendous amount of encouragement and influence to the table. 

I asked the captains of both teams, the sponsor, Mrs. Phyllis Skipper, and Attorney Tommy Horne how the Mock Trial Program has influenced them. This is how they responded:

It is an opportunity to develop an understanding of the legal process and find out if you want to go into the legal field.

-Lily Collins

Mock Trial is a platform for high school students to get involved with the law and the trial process but it also provides a vehicle for students to express themselves and learn to become comfortable in uncomfortable situations.

-Isabella Durgin

It is an opportunity for young people to gain experience in critical thinking and speaking on their feet and in teamwork.

-Mrs. Skipper

It’s an academic competition that teaches not only a general understanding of our trial system but also valuable life lessons such as public speaking, digesting large amounts of material, and learning new ideas.

-Mr. Tommy Horne