What is Mock Trial?
The students of the Mock Trial club sharpen their analytical skills by stepping into the roles of attorneys and witnesses.
For nearly a month, Mock Trial members study a hypothetical case in depth, examining evidence that either the prosecution or defense can use against the opposing team. After weeks of preparation, they take their arguments into a real courtroom and present them to an actual judge against another school’s team.
In the courtroom, students play the role of the attorneys and witnesses. Rather than relying on the final verdict to determine a winner, judges score competitors on how well they deliver opening and closing statements, conduct direct and cross-examinations, and their ability to establish clear, credible testimony from witnesses.
“Directing a witness is basically an attorney helping a witness tell their story, which has to stay true to the case packet,” defense witness Julianne Claire Pasiwen (12) said. “Cross-examinations are when the opposing attorney interviews our witness to make them look not credible.”
This Year’s Case
This year’s case involved the first-degree murder of celebrity judge Morgan Sears, who died after consuming a dish laced with poisonous heartstopper mushrooms. The defendant was Haley Fromholz, a chef and contestant on the reality TV cooking show “Recipe for Success,” who was charged with murdering Sears, who served as a judge on the show.
The prosecution argued that Fromholz had a clear motive for murder, attributed to a lasting feud between Fromholz and Sears. They pointed out that Sear’s public humiliation of Fromholz, along with a $250,000 cash prize at stake, was a clear motive for Fromholz to serve a deadly dish.
The defense argued that Fromholz did not kill Sears. They said that Fromholz never possessed the heartstopper mushrooms prior to filming and had no harmful intentions towards Sears, instead identifying another contestant, Alden Mitchell, who is known for causing problems. They allege Mitchell sabotaged the dish, casting reasonable doubt on Fromholz’s guilt.
“Murder cases are always interesting, and the setting, being on a reality TV cooking show, enhances the drama,” defense attorney Kristy Pham (12) said. “I’m glad that the Fromholz case is the one I get to close out my high school Mock Trial experience with.”
This Year’s Results
The Mock Trial club reached a milestone this year by advancing to the third round for the first time, bypassing the knockout round entirely due to their exceptional performances in rounds one and two.
“I was really excited and surprised because we’ve never made it that far, but I genuinely thought we did really well both days, so I felt more satisfied than surprised,” returning attorney of the prosecution team Natalia Martinez (12) said.
Although the team was eliminated in the third round, their hard work paid off. They placed in the top 11 among nearly 100 schools. Jace Castro (9), a first year attorney of the defense team, noted the team’s dedication, saying they practiced until just minutes before competing.
“From my experience, our team’s success came from carefully analyzing the case together, practicing our roles repeatedly, and constantly giving each other helpful feedback,” prosecution attorney Jayden Aguirre (12) said.
What It Taught Them
Mock Trial members gained valuable skills in and out of the courtroom. Sophia Frogue (12), a prosecution witness, explained that in Mock Trial, students develop public speaking, critical thinking, and communication skills. Anais Martinez (12) corroborated this idea and emphasized the importance of teamwork.
“It definitely boosted my confidence as standing in front of everyone was scary at first,” defense attorney Keira Manning (10) said. “I also learned how to work and communicate better with my group.”
For those considering a future in law, Mock Trial is the perfect place to start. The club offers a realistic view of how the courtroom operates and helps participants learn to think quickly and strategically.
“I want to be a lawyer in the future, so I wanted to try to gain some experience now,” prosecution witness Magdalena Kenyon (12) said. “It was kind of like a trial run, and it helped me practice being prepared to ask questions.”
As the season wrapped up, the Mock Trial team left the courtroom with more than just their score. They gained experience, confidence, and a deeper understanding of teamwork. Prosecution witness, Alyssa Garcia (12), shared that all you need to do is trust in yourself and in your teammates.
“It’s been an honor to watch our team improve in real time. I’m really sad that this is my last season with such an amazing group of people, but we closed it out in the best way possible,” four-year member and club president Kristy Pham (12) said.
