In February and March, almost 300 teams from Pennsylvania high schools will be brushing up on their legal knowledge as they get ready to participate in the Statewide Mock Trial Competition.
This year, the Mesivta High School of Greater Philadelphia, in Bala Cynwyd, will be joining them.
The Pennsylvania Bar Association Young Lawyers Division sponsors the annual mock trial competition, which is entered its 36th year. The PA contest is one of the biggest in the country.
District and regional competitions take place this month and next. Once the local contests have finished, 14 teams will move on to the PA Bar Association Statewide Mock Trial Championships. The championship will take place on March 29 and 30 in the state capital.
Teams that are entering the competition for the first time can produce Business Cards to get themselves excited for the event, and to help them feel more professional.
During mock trials, teams of eight students have the chance to argue a case in front of a judge, in a real courtroom. Students take both sides and play lawyers, witnesses, defendants, and plaintiffs. The jury for the trials is made up of lawyers and leaders from the local community. During each trial, students are judged based on their preparation, arguments and ability to follow the rules of the court.
The team that wins the PA competition at the end of March will travel to Athens, Georgia, to participate in the national mock trial finals in May.
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