Mock Trial heads into the courthouse for county competition JV and varsity teams vie for top spots against local high schools

by Genevieve Klein Opinion Co-Editor

Since September, the NDB Mock Trial team has been tuning their argumentative skills and building their case. Now, they are right in the thick of competition season, with Round One commencing on January 26, Round Two on February 2 and Round Three set to happen on February 9. For both new and returning team members alike, these competitions bring a balance of nerves and excitement.

NDB’s Mock Trial is made up of three divisions: varsity, JV and showcase, each divided into a prosecution team and a defense team. However, all members have been collectively collaborating throughout the past six months.

At the beginning of the season, the team received their casebook, which gave the details of this year’s theatrically themed crime. In a tense altercation between rival actors Billie Scher and Jordan Franks, Franks supposedly stole Scher’s precious Shakespearean ring and broke Scher’s arm, all while aboard the “Heart of the Ocean” cruise ship.

After thoroughly looking over the contents of the casebook, including the stipulations, witness testimonies and exhibit images, team members received their roles. Some have chosen to argue as pre-trial attorneys, willing to speak directly with the judge about past court cases in order to prove that an exhibit should or should not be allowed for use in the trial. Others have elected to act as trial attorneys and prepare opening and closing statements, witness cross examination questions and objections.

Many take on the essential role of portraying a witness, working to give a convincing performance in order to help their team’s case. Lastly, a few have taken on the role of timekeeper or baliff, who help the trial run smoothly.

The team has practiced on Mondays and Wednesdays each week and has dedicated multiple weekends to scrimmaging against other high schools, including San Mateo HS, Serra HS, Prospect HS and Oceana HS. Additionally, the JV team competed in the Santa Clara County Invitational on January 10 and January 12 in order to gain extra practice before league competitions began.

Competition trials take place at the Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo, in Redwood City. A practicing judge rules over the trial and scorers are normally practicing or retired attorneys who generously give their time to watch and evaluate participants. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this is the first time in two years that competitions are being held in the courtroom, rather than on Zoom, which brings a new and exciting element for team members. Both attorneys and witnesses focused more on their courtroom presence, hand gestures and tone of voice, all of which did not carry as much weight during a virtual trial.

“I think it was definitely a little bit harder because it’s more pressure when you’re speaking in front of more people and you can’t easily have your material there just for safety,” said junior Mallory Moore, who is a JV defense attorney. “I definitely think that I had to be more confident with my memorization going into it, but overall, it was fun.”

In both Round

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