In Mock Trials, Only The Arguments Are Real Teams Of High Schoolers Get Scores, Critiques Instead Of Verdicts

Julie Kanago, 17, is not the type to send back a wrong order in a restaurant, but when she steps into the role of attorney in a high school mock trial competition, she becomes a shark.

Kanago was one of about 50 local teenagers who competed Saturday in the annual YMCA High School Mock Trial District Tournament in the Spokane County Courthouse.

The Central Valley student tried a case so successfully that an opponent walked up and said, “You really intimidated me up there. That’s not easy to do.”

Kanago, a member of the school band, blushed at being singled out by her competitor. Normally, she’s a little shy.

“I think this has given me confidence that I can give my opening statement without falling into little pieces,” Kanago said.

From morning until past 5 p.m., students took their places in court.

Seven teams representing Gonzaga Prep, Central Valley and University high schools tried each case twice: once as plaintiff, once as defendant.

Just like courtroom attorneys, they made opening statements, questioned witnesses and made objections to leading questions. Teams of local attorneys served as jurors. Instead of verdicts, teams were scored and critiqued.

“The common mistakes you see here are the same ones you see in court by attorneys,” said Carl Warring, an assistant to the state attorney general’s office in Spokane.

Several years ago while attending high school in Moses Lake, Warring won the state title in the mock trial competition. While watching this year’s students compete, he thought, “That must have been how we looked.”

Students do let their emotions show in subtle slips. Some students sigh and shrug their shoulders when they lose a ruling. Some tap their pens and twitch their feet while trying a case.

The case at the center of attention involved an online newspaper published by students at a high school. A student editor published an editorial that attacked a wealthy computer businessman for stealing industry secrets. What the businessman wanted was an apology and a retraction. The high school journalists claimed it was a fair article giving students information they needed to know.

The case played out several times with students taking various roles, including the businessman, the student adviser and student editor.

“It’s very nerve-racking, but it’s a lot of fun,” said Roxanne McPeck, a 15-year-old sophomore from Central Valley.

McPeck and Jessica Schultz were members of the second-place CV team and will compete in the state finals in Olympia in March. A team from Gonzaga Prep finished first.

Spokane Superior Court Judge Sam Cozza has been active with the program for several years.

“When you watch these kids over the years, they really aren’t all that much different than real attorneys who try cases,” Cozza said. “It’s kind of humbling. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to be an attorney.”

Kids who participate learn how the law works and maybe develop an interest in a career, Cozza said.

“I think this gives a little more appreciation for what a lawyer does,” Cozza said.

Kanago got a taste of mock trial in junior high and discovered she was pretty good at it.

“I’m considering going into law now,” she said.