Registration is now open for the 2016 Michigan High School Mock Trial Tournament
The Michigan Center for Civic Education announces that registration is now open for high schools to register for the 2016 Tournament.
Regional competitions will take place on the following dates:
February 20, 2016: Washtenaw County Regional, Ann Arbor
February 27, 2016: Oakland County Regional, Pontiac
March 5, 2016: Macomb County Regional, Mt. Clemens
Kent County Regional, Grand Rapids
The top 10 teams will compete in the State Finals on March 19, 2016, in Lansing.
The state champions will be eligible to compete in the National Mock Trial Championship in Boise, Idaho, May 12-14, 2016.
The 2015-16 Mock-Trial case promises to be relevant, challenging and thought-provoking as students grapple with allegations that a bullying victim resorted to criminal actions in response to perceived mistreatment by peers.
People v. Casey Campbell: Detective Rory Riley received a call on the Park Lane City Police department’s anonymous tip line informing the detective of a suspicious container near the high school cafeteria. It is a clear container holding liquid and taped around the container was a wristwatch, wires, a battery and metal igniter strip. The school is evacuated. The device is neutralized. The following day, Sawyer Simpson, a senior at Park Lane High, visited Det. Riley claiming to have information about the incident and accusing fellow senior, Casey Campbell, of planting the device. Casey felt that Sawyer and Sawyer’s friends were bullies. Sawyer has been accused of bullying and attempting to frame others of wrong doing in the past. Sawyer told Det. Riley about seeing Casey near where the device was found. Sawyer also informed Det. Riley that Casey said “You will be sorry that you ever picked on me.” In addition, Sawyer found some disturbing information on Casey’s social media page including pictures of Sawyer and Sawyer’s group of friends called “The Crew.” Casey’s page also listed pyrotechnics as a hobby as well as a picture of Park Lane High on fire with a person labeled “Sawyer” trying to escape the building. Despite denying any wrongdoing, Det. Riley arrested Casey Campbell. Is Casey guilty or is this incident all a bully’s attempt to frame an innocent victim?
The MHSMTT has been organized and conducted by the Michigan Center for Civic Education since 1982. Teams of 6-10 students present arguments before panels of three judges per courtroom. One judge presides over the trial, while the others serve as the jury.
The Michigan High school Mock Trial Tournament is made possible through support from the State Bar of Michigan, Oakland County Bar Foundation, Litigation Section, State Bar of Michigan, and the Macomb County Bar Foundation. More information about the Michigan High School Mock Trial Tournament and how to register is available at https://www.miciviced.org/mock-trial/2016-mhsmtt-tournament
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