Objection, this is not just another club. Mock Trial is where students bring a practice case to life in the courtroom. Through panachey witness statements, strong, but possibly wrong, objections, this club brings excitement and new opportunities to its participants. Mock Trial is a club that replicates the hardwork a person must do in a simulation of a case going to trial. Led by North teachers Chantel Lowe and Brooke Dozier, the club challenges students to think on their feet, speak with confidence, and bring a case to life.
Each September, students interested in Mock Trial meet and begin their journey to take on a real, 2-hour trial at the end of January. In the early weeks of the season, students work on perfecting their craft after choosing between being an attorney or a witness. Through public speaking drills and reviewing case laws, students become experts by the time the case used for competition comes out. Sophomore Campbell Massey felt she learned a lot before even diving into the practice case. “Going through the basics with public speaking and how I should present myself really prepared me for competition,” she said. “I never thought I would have learned so much.”
After fall break, each Mock Trial team in Georgia receives a case for the competition in January. This is where the real work begins. Students are assigned a specific witness or serve as an attorney, these roles they must act out. They learn each part of the witness’s statement so that when competition time comes, they are experts. Senior Audrey Khayat, a Mock Trial veteran, loved learning about her witness. “This year, my witness was an expert with really important information about the case,” she said. “Learning how to deal with an expert and remembering each part was challenging, but I really enjoyed it.”
Months of hard work come down to one day: the district-level competition. Students arrive at a real courthouse early in the morning, where they make final preparations for the first round. Once the round starts, the prosecution and defense give five-minute opening statements, followed by each witness being questioned by the prosecution and defense. After a fierce exchange of objections and lively witness statements, the trial wraps up with closing statements. After a moment of celebration, it’s time to prepare for the second and third rounds. Sophomore Ellie Woodward says competition days are her favorite part of being in the club. “It can be stressful at times, but competition days are so much fun,” she said. “Getting to show off how hard we worked but also having fun with my friends is the best!”
With the season coming to an end, Mock Trial proves to be more than preparation for a competition. It is a place where confidence is built, friendships are formed, and students find their voice. At NAHS, Mock Trial is more than a club, it’s an experience that brings the courtroom to life.
