by Christine Menges |
Gun violence is a heated topic, and UP’s Mock Trial team will join the debate in a series of tournaments beginning the weekend of Dec. 5 in Seattle, Washington.
Mock Trial gives aspiring attorneys a chance to practice law in a realistic setting. Teams around the country receive a fictional case each year, and this year’s case is “Andy and Lee Park v. Hayden Duran.” The civil case concerns parental liability in a child’s death from a shooting incident.
The scenario imagines that two 11-year-old children, Sydney Park and Jesse Duran, were left alone at home when a gun was found, taken from its safe and fired, killing Sydney.
To many of the team members, the case topic is especially relevant.
“It’s serious, but it’s also a good case, because gun safety is a high priority,” said junior London Ballard, treasurer of Mock Trial.
The December tournament is the first in a series of tournaments that will determine if the team qualifies for nationals. After their Seattle tournament, the team will go to regionals. If they place at regionals, they will progress to nationals.
According to Ballard, the team has qualified for nationals for three years running.
Many Mock Trial members said there are several skills arguing a case requires. President Nicolas Barradas said one such skill is thinking on one’s feet. Barradas said improving quick thinking involves stretching beyond one’s comfort zone, and forcing oneself to think rapidly.
Junior Mackenna Krohn also said team members must memorize rules of evidence to back up their arguments.
“Our coach won’t let us use notes. You automatically lose points if you use notes,” Krohn said.
The tournament is scheduled for the weekend before finals, later than it has usually been. Krohn said it gives the team much more time to practice.
Another new feature of this year’s mock trial is that teams will be presented with an entirely new case at nationals.
Barradas said the team is also younger this year, which presents a great opportunity to anyone thinking of joining.
“Right now, there’s a lot of opportunities to grow,” he said.
Christine Menges is a reporter for The Beacon. You can reach her at menges15@up.edu or on Twitter @ChristineyBird.
