On March 7 and 8, teams from 24 Texas high schools will compete at the 35th Annual Texas High School Mock Trial Competition in Dallas. These teams have made it to the final championship after winning regional contests among approximately 60 high schools during January and February, and are vying for the opportunity to represent the state at the national tournament in Madison, Wis. in May.
While the participating teenagers love the excitement of portraying prosecutors, defense attorneys, and witnesses during a hypothetical civil case before a jury and judge, the competition’s organizers hope the event also will teach students about the inner workings of our justice system and provide them with an arena to think on their feet while presenting their arguments and/or testimonies.
The Dallas Bar Association has sponsored the statewide competition for more than three decades and awarded approximately $300,000 in scholarships. Dallas area attorneys and judges help with the program by serving as “jurors,” judges, mock trial clinic instructors, and advisers. They also write the mock case that is presented at the state competition each year. More information is available at dallasbar.org/mocktrial.