March 12, 2010
Mock Trial State Finals Scheduled for Saturday
Two teams will compete Saturday during the final round of the 27th Annual High School Mock Trial State Championship at the Ohio Statehouse. Supreme Court of Ohio Justice Robert R. Cupp will serve as the presiding judge during the final round, which will be broadcast live on the Ohio Channel from 9 a.m. to noon.
Established in 1983 by the Ohio Center for Law-Related Education as a statewide educational program, the Ohio Mock Trial Program is designed to help students become aware of their constitutional rights and responsibilities. Sponsors of the competition include the Supreme Court of Ohio, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, the Ohio State Bar Association and the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio Foundation.
Each year teams argue a legally authentic case written by volunteer attorneys that involves a constitutional issue relevant to students’ own personal experiences.
This year’s case (Alex Leslie v. Erehwon Local School District) analyzes the proper limitations upon students’ First Amendment rights in the digital world. Fictional high school student Alex Leslie – who enrolled in an advanced placement history class – was suspended for violating a school disciplinary code after posting comments on a blog critical of the teacher. The student sued, alleging the school impermissibly abridged off-campus speech.
Other members of the judging panel include: Second District Court of Appeals Judge Mike Fain; Clermont County Common Pleas Judge Jerry McBride; Holmes County Common Pleas Court Magistrate Jeff Ginsburg; Gary Daniels, ACLU of Ohio litigation coordinator; Barb Howard, Esq., OSBA president; and Chris Glaros, Esq., first assistant attorney general, Ohio Attorney General’s Office.
Teams competed on Feb. 5 at the district level, and on Feb. 26 at the regional level. The state finalist teams, which advanced from Thursday’s initial rounds, are listed below.
Archbishop Hoban (Summit Co.)
Athens Home School (Olivia Davidson Washington) (Athens Co.)
Indian Hill (Hamilton Co.)
Lake Ridge Academy (Lorain Co.)
Marysville HS (Union Co.)
St. Xavier (Hamilton Co.)
Sylvania Southview (Lucas Co.)
Thomas Worthington (Franklin Co.)
Wyoming (Hamilton Co.)
Contact: Chris Davey or Bret Crow at 614.387.9250.