By Paige Galloway and Joe English

SARATOGA COUNTY–Mahogany desks, seats lined up for the jury, the sharp crack of the gavel, and emphatic lawyers interrogating witnesses; a palpable feeling of professionalism and competition that is irresistible this time of year. Mock Trial begins next month, and our Galway team is gearing up to shoot for States.

Mock Trial is a debate-oriented, legal competition that brings together schools from across the region each spring.  Schools take the role of prosecution and defense teams, using a fictional case to convict or acquit the defendant.  Affidavits, case summaries, evidence, and police reports are just a few tools the teams can use to build their scripts prior to the competition.  They compile their final arguments into a coherent strategy, and use it to debate other schools’ teams in March.  The debates are scored by real judges based on presentation and legal accuracy, adding a competitive edge to the tournament.  After the trials, judges also make official rulings of acquittal or conviction for the “defendant” based on both teams’ arguments.

This year’s case is based on assault. “Dana Malone,” the plaintiff, claims to have been assaulted with a lug wrench after he left a local hip-hop club. Accusing another club-goer—P.J. Long—of the assault, Dana cites a previous incident with P.J., impeccable voice recognition, and P.J.’s past criminal record as enough evidence to convict Mr. Long.  Ryan Tecrest, Dana’s friend, and Officer Bobby Callahan, a hothead cop, are witnesses for the prosecution.  They present disappointingly subjective evidence, opinions, and speculations in the hope that sheer bias can win them a conviction.  P.J Long, the defendant, and his friends Sal Maurder and Max Miller take a more objective approach, using the lack of substantial evidence, clear biases, and inconsistencies in the prosecutors’ testimonies to seek acquittal.  Galway’s Mock Trial team has already discussed the case at length, writing scripts and formulating a game plan.  For the defense, the attorney’s will focus on the overwhelmingly circumstantial evidence used by the prosecution. The will point out the lack of DNA results, eye witnesses, and objective tactics used to obtain information by Officer Callahan.  For prosecution, the team will try to prove that the evidence—if circumstantial—heavily implicates P.J., and they will focus on P.J. lack of an acceptable alibi, criminal record, and obvious motive.

The first four tournament dates are scheduled for February 9th and 16th, and March 1st and 8th.  If you are interested in participating on the Mock Trial team or watching the trials this spring, contact Mr. Fredette or one of the team members for more information.