Local students to compete in mock trial tournament

Last Updated on Wednesday, March 06, 2013 10:45 pm Written by Laura Stetser Monday, January 14, 2013 02:46 pm

Local high school students will become attorneys, witnesses and jurors for the day during a countywide Mock Trial Competition sponsored by the Atlantic County Bar Association and the New Jersey State Bar Foundation.  The competitions will take place at 5 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 14 and Wednesday, Jan. 16 at the Civil Courthouse in Atlantic City; at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 23 and Monday, Jan. 28 at the Criminal Courthouse in Mays Landing; and at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 30 at the Civil Courthouse in Atlantic City.

Local attorneys, Municipal Court Judges and Superior Court Judges will judge the competitions.  Atlantic County's winning team will be eligible to compete in the regional competitions in February.  Winners of the regional competition will compete in the semi-finals to be held at the New Jersey Law Center in New Brunswick.  The semi-final winners will compete for the statewide championship.

The goal of the competition is to promote better understanding of the law, court procedures and the justice system and to increase basic life and leadership skills. More than 50 local attorneys, judges and law clerks participate in the Atlantic County Mock Trial Program.

This year the following schools will compete: Egg Harbor Township High School, Absegami High School, Holy Spirit High School, Mainland Regional High School, Hammonton High School, St. Joseph High School, Cedar Creek High School, Oakcrest High School, Atlantic County Institute of Technology

The public is invited to attend all competitions. For more information please contact the Atlantic County Bar Association at 609-345-3444/www.atcobar.org