Recent News

February 14, 2011

Bar Members Judge Mock Trial

Nearly 50 volunteers from the Columbus Bar and 300 students participated last week in the 28th Annual Ohio High School District Mock Trial Competition at Franklin County Municipal Court. This year’s case, Taylor Henlacks v. Dana Brody, M.d., Ph.D., FCAP, offered a universal twist on the 14th Amendments “takings” clause often associated with eminent domain. The case analyzed an individual’s right to the body part of a deceased family member.

Through a simulated trial in a real courtroom, teams of five to eleven students prepare and participate in two trials against different high schools as plaintiff and defense. Students learn firsthand about the law, court procedures and the judicial system while building interpretation, critical thinking and public thinking skills. District winners from throughout the state advance to the regional competition and from there have the chance to move on to the state finals. The state winner will compete in the national competition in May.

Teams advancing from the February 4 competition include Columbus Alternative Team A; Hilliard Davidson Team White; New Albany Team Cardinal; New Albany Team Gold; Reynoldsburg Team S; Upper Arlington Team Marshall; Upper Arlington Team Roberts; Upper Arlington Team Sotomayor.

The District Mock Trial Competition is sponsored by the Ohio Center for Law Related Education and organized by Judge James E. Green, Mahjabeen Qadir, Lydia Arko, and the Columbus Bar.