The 2018-2019 Mock Trial year has begun! Mock Trial is a club at MHSN advised by Mrs. Pearson and Mrs. D’Alessandro.  The club studies court cases, prepares for trials and goes to competitions against other New Jersey high schools where the trials are carried out.

The first official meeting was held during blocks three and four on October 17 in Mrs. Pearson’s classroom. During the meeting, members of Mock Trial reviewed the case packet and wrote summaries on this year’s case.

This year, the Mock Trial club will be studying and practicing a civil case about an injury that possibly occurred on a roller coaster at an amusement park. The case is between a character who claims he was injured on a ride and the amusement park, who claims to have no legal responsibility in this matter.

Members of the club will soon be assigned parts in the case. For example, a student may be assigned to play the role of the prosecutor or a witness. The members will study their individual parts, as well as the other parts, to prepare to carry out the trial and perform at the competition.

“I like the transformation the students make when they walk into the courtroom. They are dressed for the part and act the part, they are professional. The transformation is amazing,” Mrs. D’Alessandro said when asked what her favorite part about Mock Trial was.

Both Mrs. Pearson and Mrs. D’Alessandro agreed there is an adrenaline rush in the courtroom.

Overall, the Mock Trial Club is looking forward to a great year with many new faces joining the club!