Wallkill Valley Times , Wednesday , March 29 , 2017 3
Mock Trial teams seek out the truth
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Valley Central ’ s Mock Trial Team prepares for a legal battle .
By JESSICA COHEN
Orange County judges presided over 190 high school students showing off their legal skills , as the 2017 Orange County Mock Trial Tournament began at Orange- Ulster BOCES on Saturday . Teams from eleven school districts opposed each other , trying the same case , prepared by the New York State Bar Association : A woman who had gone to prison for three years for a convenience store murder and robbery had been exonerated and now sued the county that convicted her for “ malicious prosecution .”
Each team included lawyers , expert witnesses and bystanders . Many had been preparing for their roles since September , studying affidavits and procedures ; a few had filled in at the last moment , preparing for only a few days . They were coached by lawyers , including Orange County assistant district attorneys .
“ Some students will eventually be attorneys , and others will be actors ,” said Craig Brown , Orange County Court judge , who coordinated the program with Kimberly Van Haaster , Town of Goshen Justice . “ Years ago , local judges weren ’ t judging the competition , but there ’ s a good reservoir of them , and they know how hard kids work . This year , too many judges contacted us . It invigorates us about the kids , seeing how professional they are . Some judges say the kids are better than some attorneys who appear before them .”
As judges , Brown added , “ We often see people at their worst , especially with the opioid epidemic . “ In this program , we see kids at their best . It ’ s amazing how truly prepared they are to deal with complicated issues .”
The Orange County Bar Association and Orange-Ulster BOCES , co-sponsored the event , which is a step toward the 29th Annual New York State Mock Trial Tournament .
Mock trial protocol closely resembles a real trial . Attorneys said , “ Objection !” when they thought an opposing lawyer ’ s question overstepped legal limitations . When the judge responded , “ Sustained ,” the mock lawyer gained credibility . Occasionally , a judge would say , “ Overruled ,” with a look of strained patience , if a lawyer interrupted too often without legal basis , an error that could cost the team points . Teams were scored on “ confidence , preparedness , and demeanor .” They lost points for “ baseless objections , invention of facts , and strategies intended to waste the opposing team ’ s time ,” according to tournament rules .
Some students had participated in mock trials for several years , whether compelled by television shows about lawyers , love of debate , or family members involved with the law . Students playing expert witnesses , like those playing lawyers , did elaborate research to
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