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Court News Ohio
High School
Students Tackle Timely Issue in Mock Trial Competition
January 29, 2016
More than 3,000 high school students will enter courtrooms across the
state today to take part in the Ohio Center for Law-Related Education’s
(OCLRE) 33rd Annual Ohio Mock Trial district competitions.
This year’s 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.
Competitions will be hosted in 27 counties and more than 1,000 legal
professionals will serve as volunteer judges, competition coordinators
and team advisors. Ohio Mock Trial is the state’s largest high school
academic competition and is among the largest high school mock trial
programs in the nation.
Each Ohio Mock Trial team consists of five to 11 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, 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,” OCLRE Executive Director
Lisa Eschleman said.
Teams that advance from the district competition will compete in the
regional competition on Feb. 19. Regional winners will compete in the
state championships on March 10-12 in Columbus for the chance to
represent Ohio at the National High School Mock Trial Championship in
Boise, Idaho in May.
Counties hosting Ohio Mock Trial district competitions are: 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, and Wood.
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 Ohio
Supreme Court, 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.
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