Student teams state their ‘cases’ to learn more about the law

Although there were teams working together and a competition to be won, St. Francis High School senior John Shade noted there is a big difference between what he's used to during an athletics rivalry and his experience at Friday's mock trial.

"I tend to tune everybody out. You can't do that here," the 17-year-old said.

He was a member of a team in the 29th annual Ohio Center for Law-Related Education's 2011 Mock Trial competition. Watched by real lawyers and judges in Toledo Municipal courtrooms, students from area schools presented their sides of a case and argued the law.

The event included teams from St. Ursula Academy, Sylvania Southview High School, St. Francis de Sales High School, St. John's Jesuit High School, and members of the Perrysburg Explorers Club.

Although initially on the docket, the team from Edon High School in Williams County had to cancel its appearance because of inclement morning weather.

Sylvania Southview student Chris Ellis, left, objects to a question by St. John's Jesuit student John Banoub during the competition. Seated in the foreground is Harry Thaman of St. John's Jesuit. Two teams from Southview advanced to the regional meet, as did one each from Perrysburg and St. Ursula. THE BLADE/LORI KING Enlarge | Photo Reprints

The teams questioned witnesses, cross-examined experts, and offered occasional objections during the mythical case State of Ohio vs. Storm Jackson, a college freshman arrested after police used his cell phone global positioning system records to pinpoint him as evidence to charge him with theft.

The students argued during a hearing on whether the seizure of evidence violated the Fourth Amendment.

"The goal is to talk about the legal system and to teach those of them who might want to be lawyers," said attorney Kent Riesen of the Toledo-based law firm of Anspach, Meeks, Ellenberger LLP, who serves as a mentor for the Perrysburg students.

"But more important, it's an opportunity for these students to get up and express thoughts and to communicate. … That's a resource they'll use the rest of their lives."

The trials, each judged by a three-member panel of attorneys and judges or magistrates, gave students a chance to experience court in a real way.

One team was the prosecution; an opposing team acted as the defense. Each team provided witnesses for questioning and cross-examination.

Sylvania Southview student Clement Dupuy, right, is timed as he questions a "witness" during the Lucas County district mock trial competition at the Toledo Municipal Court in Toledo, Ohio. THE BLADE/LORI KING Enlarge | Photo Reprints

Jessica Cetnar, 17, and Lindsay Carr, 18, were part of St. Ursula's team.

They said the competition offered a chance to be involved in a school activity that promoted teamwork and thinking on their feet. Miss Carr, a senior, noted that a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision spoke to the issue of law enforcement's use of cell phone GPS, demonstrating the reality aspect of the exercise.

"It worked against our side, so we didn't really care for it," she said of the recent case.

The teens added that although many aren't considering going into law, the experience let them learn about the law in an interesting way.

Locally coordinated by the Toledo Bar Association, the competition is held annually. Similar to the real-life courtroom experience, at the end of the mock-trial day, there were teams that won their cases.

Four of the 10 teams -- two from Southview and one each from Perrysburg and St. Ursula -- advanced to the Feb. 24 regional competition.

To get to the regionals, the teams had to win both courtroom presentations, one time presenting the prosecutor's case and a second time presenting the defendant's.

Those that advance from the regionals will compete in Columbus at the state competition, where winners can move on to the national contest.

Tyler Agard, 18, and teammate Justin Kay, 18, both St. Francis seniors, said they joined the team to gain insight on what they see now as prospective careers.

"It's been a good experience. It definitely has helped in the process of deciding whether I want to become a lawyer," Mr. Agard said.

And does he?

"I'm not sure yet," he said.

Contact Erica Blake at: eblake@theblade.com or 419-213-2134.