Lasalle Secondary School Students Compete in Provincial Mock Trial

Lasalle Secondary School captured top honours at this year’s Mock Trial Competition. The students will be in Toronto April 14th and 15th, 2010 to compete in the provincial Secondary School Mock Trial Tournament. From left, Holly Prince, Alexandra Hunt, Matthew Munro, Chantelle Chaput, Nick Morrison and Ryan O’Gorman won the coveted Hennessy Cup at the Sudbury Courthouse on Monday, January 11, 2010. The award was presented by Greater Sudbury Mayor John Rodriguez, Chief of Police Frank Elsner and Madam Justice Patricia C. Hennessy.

Lasalle Secondary School captured top honours at this year’s Mock Trial Competition. Next week, they will be in Toronto to defend their title on a provincial level.

Holly Prince, Ryan O’Gorman, Alexandra Hunt, Matthew Munro, Nick Morrison and Chantelle Chaput won the coveted Hennessy Cup at the Sudbury Courthouse on Monday, January 11, 2010. Grade 12 Law teacher Max Battistoni as well as lawyers Sarah Viau and Niguel Mousseau from the local law firm Lacroix, Forest coached the team to victory.

The quarter-final round in the provincial Secondary School Mock Trial Tournament will take place during Law Week, on Wednesday, April 14, 2010. The semi-final round will be held at the Superior Court of Justice in Toronto on the morning of Thursday, April 15, 2010. In the afternoon, the two winning teams will go head to head for the championship.

“These Lasalle students have spent long hours studying the criminal code and court procedure,” said Madame Justice Patricia C. Hennessy. “They practised and rehearsed their examinations, cross-examinations and legal submissions.  With their coaches, they have developed new skills in advocacy and public speaking.  When they step into that courtroom in Toronto, they will be prepared to match their skills against the best in the province.”

Dressed in the traditional gowns of the profession, the students will present their respective cases before a panel of judges from the Ontario Court Justice and the Superior Court of Justice. Trophies and prizes will be awarded to winners and runners up at the Law Day Closing and Awards Ceremony.

The Ontario Bar Association presents the Secondary School Mock Trial Tournament in conjunction with the Law Day Committee. Students are given a scenario that outlines an alleged criminal offence and they act out the roles of crown attorneys, defense lawyers, witnesses and the accused. The exercise demonstrates how Canadian law not only guarantees rights but also imposes responsibilities on members of society.

Students will 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.

The Ontario Bar Association arranges for local lawyers to volunteer as advisors and judges in round one and two of the tournament process. Students are judged on their abilities to follow the rules and protocol of the court as well as present their case.

Tyler Campbell, Chair of Rainbow District School Board, commended Sudbury’s legal community for their ongoing support of student success through their generous contribution of time and expertise for the local Mock Trial Competition, which has given students the opportunity to compete provincially. “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.”

He added: “These lawyers often ignite in 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. We certainly wish our students well as they compete on a provincial level.”

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.”

-30-

Media Contact:

Tiffany Roberts, Curriculum Co-ordinator,

Rainbow District School Board, 705-523-3308, ext. 8209