February 9, 2018
Mock Trial teams finish strong at second tournament of the season
Submitted by Daralyn Gordon Arata
Two teams from the Kansas State Mock Trial Club competed in the annual National Mock Trial Invitational hosted by Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa. Other schools sending teams to participate in the tournament included Drake University, Cornell College, University of Minnesota and Northern Illinois State
Lucy Fowler, freshman in political science, won a Best Witness Award for her role as Bailey Bell-Leon.
All teams competed using a case file released in August 2017 and updated in January by the American Mock Trial Association. The case files consist of stipulations, jury instructions, relevant law, affidavits, depositions and a plethora of evidence. Students compete throughout the tournament by assuming the roles of attorneys and witnesses to defend their position in front of actual judges. Each team will act as either the prosecution or defense, and may have to argue the opposing side in later rounds.
K-State's Mock Trial Club will next compete in the Topeka Regional Mock Trial Tournament, hosted by Washburn Law School, on Feb. 17 and 18. Teams placing in the tournament will qualify for the Opening Round Championship Series in Memphis, Tennessee, the weekend of March 23.
Formed in 2009, K-State's Mock Trial Club is an academic competition team that competes in simulated trials in a real courtroom setting. The team is coached by Benjamin Long, K-State alumnus, with assistance from Mark Brinkworh; both are practicing attorneys in Kansas City. The club provides students with opportunities to enhance their critical thinking, speaking, listening and writing skills.
The Mock Trial Club meets at 7:30 p.m. every Monday and Thursday in 311 Nichols Hall. Students interested in Mock Trial can contact Dakota Baccus, club president, at 785-392-0081 or dakota10@k-state.edu. Mock Trial Club also can be reached through its official Facebook page: KSU Mock Trial.
Sponsors of the Mock Trial Club include K-State's Office of Pre-Law Advising and the communication studies department.