Young minds on display

Students participating in mock trials at Denver District Courthouse

John G. Miller

Friday, November 6, 2009

ACADEMY MOCK TRIAL TEAM: Pictured here are members of the Academy mock trial team.

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a prosecutor or defense attorney in a major murder trial, to make your arguments in front of a judge while the guilt or innocence of the plaintiff hangs in the balance?

Well, teams of high school students from all over the Denver-Metro area are convening at the Denver District Courthouse at 1437 Bannock St. today and tomorrow to participate in a mock trial based on a famous case in U.S. history. The teams, which can be from four to eight students, will serve as prosecutors, defense attorneys and witnesses.

“We’re doing the Lindbergh trial,” said Academy team leader Edmond Lau, a law student at the University of Denver’s Sturm College of Law. “Actually, it’s an adaptation that alters some of the facts, just to make it a little different.”

The mock trial is a program initiated by the Providence Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to teaching young adults valuable life skills via a platform that relies heavily on public speaking and an understanding of the law. Real-life judges and attorneys donate their time to help the students present their cases in effective, logical fashion.

Academy’s members are all from different schools, since their home schools didn’t have enough students willing to put together a team. The three-male, two-female team actually worked together at a mock trial this past summer when they were members of Providence’s Academy of Law and Leadership. When the current mock trial was announced, the five contacted each other and submitted their application to enter as a team.

“We all had a great time last summer,” said Amy Trahan of Holy Family High School in Broomfield. “We thought it’d be fun to do it again.”

Though the five all share some interest in the law, it’s not a prerequisite for participation. Jessica Tooker of Cherokee Trail High School in Aurora cites the medical profession as her goal, while Ryan MacDowell of Littleton High School is still undecided as to his primary focus.

“The goal is not to get aspirations for law,” said Lau. “It’s to teach them articulation, analytical thinking, setting goals, teamwork, and other life skills to help them in whatever endeavor they choose.

The reality of being an effective trial lawyer is not something you’ll see on Law and Order, either. “The hours of research and rehearsing, adjusting to different scenarios, that’s what counts in being effective in a trial,” said Lau.

And for the five, doing well in the mock trial is really what it’s all about. Cash prizes and scholarship grants are given to the best performers, such as Best Witness or Best Defense Attorney, as well as Best Team. Tate Swanson of Colorado Academy in Lakewood has his sights on a career in law, as does Payton Rose Regis Jesuit High School in Aurora, the consensus “star” of the team of who defines his interest to “litigation.”

“This is the coolest thing, to put on our suits and get up before a judge and argue our case,” said Payton. “I can’t wait to start.”

“Payton definitely knows the rules of evidence very well,” said Jessica.

For more information, visit www.theprovidencefoundation.org.

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