Tucson's University High School Crowned Arizona Mock Trial Champion

TUCSON - April 9, 2009 - You wouldn't want to face a student from Tucson's University High School in court. Chances would be pretty good the verdict wouldn't come back in your favor.

Your luck probably wouldn't be much better if someone from Phoenix's Xavier College Preparatory School was bringing litigation against you to the courtroom.

The two schools proved to be judicial juggernauts during the Arizona High School Mock Trial Championship, which took place on March 28th at the Sandra Day O'Connor Federal Courthouse in Phoenix. University High School took first place overall and will represent Arizona at the National High School Mock Trial Championship in Atlanta, scheduled May 6-10.

If that wasn't enough, University High School actually entered a second team of students into the competition. They finished third, with Xavier's two teams finishing second and fourth respectively.

The Arizona High School Mock Trial Program gives students a better understanding of the legal system - from the rules of evidence to proper court decorum - increasing their awareness of the importance of law in a democratic society while strengthening their understanding of fundamental rights under the U.S. Constitution. The program also promotes increased confidence, poise, oral skills, critical thinking and teamwork.

Students interested in law, public speaking, or performing arts have an opportunity to learn from practicing attorneys who share their legal experience as coaches. Mock Trial teams consist of six to eight students, a teacher coach, and an attorney coach. Each team must argue both sides of a fictional case and play both attorney and witness. Teams work together to learn the facts of the case and create strategies for trial.  This year's case is a civil matter addressing cyberstalking, a timely issue in today's technological age.

The program is sponsored by the Arizona Foundation for Legal Services & Education, in partnership with the State Bar of Arizona's Young Lawyer Division. The rounds are presided over by Arizona judges. More than 75 Arizona volunteer judges and attorneys helped in the state competition, sharing their legal expertise with the participants through constructive feedback after each trial.

The teams represented at the state championship were the highest ranking among more than 50 teams that competed in six regional competitions across the state on March 7.

Individual award winners (nominated by tournament judges for outstanding performance as an attorney) of the Arizona Association of Defense Counsel's scholarships were as follows:

Outstanding Student ($500 Scholarship)

Will Hawkins - Blue Ridge High School

Honorable Mention Outstanding Students ($250 Scholarships)

David Berens - University High School Team 1
Shane Arlington - Northland Preparatory Academy Team 1

All State Team (Nominated by tournament judges for outstanding performance):

• Shane Arlington - Northland Preparatory Academy Team 1
• David Berens - University High School Team 1
• Kristie Gallardo - University High School Team 2
• Will Hawkins - Blue Ridge High School
• Sara McCabe - Xavier College Preparatory School Team 1
• Mari Carmen Perez-Vargas - Xavier College Preparatory School Team 2
• Danny Wilson - Brophy College Preparatory School

Courtroom Artist Contest Winners

• State & Region 7 Winner: Linnea Paseiro
• Region 6 Winner: Julie Zhang