21 February, 2011
The Mock Trial Program of Massachusetts is open to all public and private high schools in the state. At Hopkinton High, the Mock Trial Team is currently participating in trial simulations and faced off against Hopedale at the Milford District Court on Wednesday, February 16, 2011.
The team is divided into a Prosecution and a Defense team and Wednesday’s trial was the Prosecution team’s turn to argue their case. Just like a real trial, witnesses take the stand, are questioned and cross-examined and opening and closing arguments are presented.
The students from Hopkinton were well prepared and performed their parts well. Several witnesses provided testimony in the case in which an 18-year old man was being charged with involuntary manslaughter for removing a stop sign that the prosecution alleged resulted in the death of two people.
The team is coached by local attorney Michael Schwartz and by Hopkinton high school history teacher Shannon Allberry.
“I think it’s an absolutely tremendous program which has so many carry-over benefits to other aspects of their lives,” said Schwartz.
In addition to deciding the verdict, the mock trial judge also tallies the score for each team. Wednesday’s trial was close, 91 points for Hopkinton versus 92 for Hopedale.
After the trial, the judge provides compliments and critiques of the students’ performance and suggests ways to make improvements.
Wednesday’s Mock Trial Judge, Albert Hayeck, praised some of the students for being able to control their witness and for proving their point. Others were critiqued for speaking too fast, not making objections where appropriate and using notes.
“We’ve got another trial in a week,” said Schwartz, “and next year these kids are going to be even better, so look out.”
