January 11, 2010: Students Participate in Mock Trial Competition

When Joseph Richards was a Grade 12 student at Lockerby Composite School, he won the Best Advocate Award at the Mock Trial Competition. He then went on to pursue legal studies. Now, six years later, he is coaching a mock trial team of his own as an articling student in the Office of the Crown Attorney in Sudbury.

His team from Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School will be one of ten participating in this year’s competition at the Sudbury Courthouse on Monday, January 11, 2010. Participants have been diligently preparing their cases under the guidance of local lawyers since the fall.

“Joseph Richards is a prime example of how the Mock Trial Competition can inspire students to consider the legal profession once they graduate from secondary school,” said Rainbow District School Board Chair Tyler Campbell. “It is wonderful to see that he is now serving as a mentor for students who have followed in his footsteps and, in doing so, contributing to the education and development of young people in our community.”

He added: “I would like to thank the volunteer coaches from the Sudbury and District Law Association and the Sudbury Crown Attorney’s office who, once again, have provided hundreds of hours of time to this project.  The local lawyers make an invaluable contribution to student learning, taking it from the classroom to the courtroom.   These lawyers often ignite in the students a passion for the law, inspiring them to work hard in university and continue their studies in law school.  As an added bonus, students see first-hand the community service commitment that these professionals make, which so enriches our city.”

The Mock Trial competition is well established within the Grade 12 Law curriculum. In addition to meeting curriculum expectations, mock trials develop other skills in students, including public speaking, teamwork, presentation, preparation and critical thinking skills.

“Learning the fundamentals of the criminal justice system through participation in an actual trial has proven to be a wonderful experience,” said Madame Justice Patricia C. Hennessy. “Students are learning the democratic principles which underlie our justice system. They prepare their witnesses and their examinations the same way that practicing lawyers do preparation work.”

She added: “The Sudbury lawyers who mentor and coach the students bring added skill and experience to the teaching.  Year after year, we see outstanding work from these students who have learned advocacy and public speaking skills from their lawyer coaches.”

Close to 70 students from the Rainbow District School Board and the Sudbury Catholic District School Board will don legal gowns to prosecute and defend the case of Her Majesty the Queen versus Pat O’Brien.  Pat O’Brien stands charged that s/he, on or about the 12th day of June, 2009 in the City of Yourtown in the Region of Yourtown, did, in committing an assault upon Toby Fantasia, a peace officer engaged in the execution of his/her duty, cause bodily harm to him/her, contrary to the Criminal Code. 

Schools participating in this year’s competition include Espanola High School, Lasalle Secondary School, Lockerby Composite School, Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School, Sudbury Secondary School and St. Charles College. 

Participants will be vying for the coveted Hennessy Cup, named after Madame Justice Patricia C. Hennessy, Mock Trial Project Leader since its inception eight years ago. A number of additional awards will be presented – Best Advocate Defense, Best Advocate Crown, Best Witness and the Civility Award for courtroom decorum.

The event will begin at 8:30 am in Courtroom A, with an opening address by area judges. (Observers must arrive on time in order to gain entry for this portion of the proceedings.) Trials will continue throughout the day and culminate with the championship trial at 2 pm. The Awards Ceremony will begin at 3:30 pm. The public is welcome to attend. Photographs will be permitted throughout the proceedings.

Local winners will go on to the Northeastern Mock Trial Competition to be held in early March. Regional winners will compete in the province-wide finals in Toronto in the spring.

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Media Contact:
Tiffany Roberts, Curriculum Co-ordinator,
Rainbow District School Board, 705-523-3308, ext. 8209