For Immediate Release                                                          For more information, contact:

April 2, 2009                                                                           Lara Slifko 602-340-7235

(Phoenix, AZ) – Tucson’s University High School took first place at the State Tournament on Saturday March 28^th, 2009 at the Sandra Day O’Connor Federal Courthouse.  University High School also took in 3^rd, with Xavier College Preparatory School taking 2^nd and 4^th.  As the State Champion, University will represent Arizona at the National High School Mock Trial Championship in Atlanta, Georgia May 6^th through May 10^th, 2009. 

 

Individual award winners (nominated by tournament judges for outstanding performance as an attorney) of the Arizona Association of Defense Counsel’s scholarships were as follows:

 

Outstanding Student ($500 Scholarship)

Will Hawkins - Blue Ridge High School

 

Honorable Mention Outstanding Students ($250 Scholarships)

David Berens - University High School Team 1

Shane Arlington - Northland Preparatory Academy Team 1

 

All State Team (Nominated by tournament judges for outstanding performance):

 

Courtroom Artist Contest Winners

The program is sponsored by the Arizona Foundation for Legal Services & Education, in partnership with the State Bar of Arizona’s Young Lawyer Division. The rounds are presided over by Arizona judges. Over 75 Arizona volunteer judges and attorneys helped in the state competition, sharing their legal expertise with the participants through constructive feedback after each trial. 

 

The competing teams were the highest ranking among over 50 teams that competed in six regional competitions across the state on March 7th.  

             

Mock Trial gives students interested in law, public speaking, or performing arts an opportunity to learn from practicing attorneys who share their legal experience as coaches. Mock Trial teams consist of six to eight students, a teacher coach, and an attorney coach. Each team must argue both sides of a fictional case and play both attorney and witness. Teams work together to learn the facts of the case and create strategies for trial.  This year’s case is a civil matter addressing cyberstalking, a timely issue in today’s technological age.

 

The Arizona High School Mock Trial Program gives students a better understanding of the legal system - from the rules of evidence to proper court decorum - increasing their awareness of the importance of law in a democratic society while strengthening their understanding of fundamental rights under the U.S. Constitution. The program also promotes increased confidence, poise, oral skills, critical thinking and teamwork.

 

The Foundation provides technical and financial assistance to legal aid organizations, schools and community groups working toward “access to justice for all Arizonans” through law-related education and free legal services and by promoting statewide collaborative efforts.

 

·         Arizona Foundation for Legal Services & Education: http://www.azflse.org

·         Arizona Mock Trial: www.azflse.org/mocktrial

·         National Mock Trial: www.nationalmocktrial.org

 

 

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