By Shayan Abbasi
Disclaimer: Shayan Abbasi is a member of Mock Trial
Picture this: an alleged murder, a dash of mystery, and a sprinkle of criminal legal theory; a case filled with betrayal, criminal fraud charges, and 1st-degree murder. Throughout October and November, the Fountain Valley High School (FVHS) Mock Trial team was hard at work, presenting demonstrative evidence, testimonial evidence and carefully crafted arguments at the Orange County Superior Court.
From pre-trial attorneys arguing constitutional law to trial attorneys directing and cross-examining witnesses, to the witnesses giving thought-out responses, to the bailiff maintaining order, to the clerk keeping time, each team member played an intricate and vital role. FVHS concluded the mock trial fall competition with a final record of 1 win and 3 losses, with matches against the talented University High School, Tesoro High School Blue, Sage Hill High School, and Costa Mesa High School.
Like a real courtroom, students assume the roles of attorneys and witnesses, arguing their case before a panel of judges. The team’s dedication was evident in their commitment to weekly practices with rigorous schedules.
FVHS’s mock trial team is divided into two parts: the prosecution and the defense. The prosecution’s duty is to find the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, while proving that it was, in this case, willful, deliberate, and with premeditation intended. Conversely, the defense’s duty is to cast doubt on the prosecution’s arguments, providing inklings of inconsistencies present.
Bailiff junior Tom Doan said, “Mock Trial designated 6 hours a week for team practices, 3 after school on Monday, and another 3 after school on Wednesday, where attorneys collaborated with each other and discussed points in the case packet while being guided by an attorney coach.”
With the help of advisor Jeremy Robinson and attorney coach Allison Greenberg, FVHS quickly progressed, learning the ins and outs of their 97-page case packet, from objections to case structure.
“My favorite part of Mock Trial was being able to meet and work with new people on something we’re all interested in,” witness junior Chloe Nguyen said, “I could tell our team grew more comfortable with each other with each meeting, and I actually felt excited to do work and participate in the trials.”
Participating in Mock Trial is not just about winning or losing; it is a journey of growth and discovery. From learning the importance of sportsmanship and camaraderie, participants honed their researching and analytical skills, perfecting their arguments.
“It’s always a fun time coming to court and learning from members of opposing schools and really brings the best out of you,” Doan said.
How is the winner of a Mock Trial match decided? Each team member, regardless of whether they are a pretrial attorney illustrating their argumentative fitness or a witness stealing the spotlight, is assigned a respective point value by an attorney scorer. To win, a team must win two out of three scorecards.
In a way, the pre-trial attorney is similar to a chess player, strategically placing legal pieces to help trial attorneys gain an advantageous position ahead of the trial, using their keen understanding of the case. Senior David Nguyen and sophomore Addison Phan were pretrial attorneys for the prosecution and defense, respectively, with each navigating constitutional nuances and placing the legal groundwork for the rest of the case.
“We argue how our constitutional rights may apply in the case and make any requests before the official trial begins,” Phan said. “It’s definitely one of the most difficult roles because you have to be quick on your feet and directly address questions from the judge.”
Trial attorneys consist of an opening, a middle, and a closing attorney, with the opening and closing delivering persuasive statements outlining key points of the case.
“Attorneys can have multiple jobs, either prep pre-trial speeches, opening speeches, direct and cross scripts, or closing speeches,” witness sophomore Nico Kap said.
Think of them as the storytellers, capturing the jury’s attention and framing the case in a favorable way. Similarly, middle trial attorneys extract information from witnesses that support their side while challenging the opposing side’s narrative during cross-examinations as well.
Despite giving testimony under oath, witnesses put on personas, embodying the character they represent. The prosecution team, comprised of Chloe Nguyen, sophomore Vivienne Le, Kap, sophomore Vivienne Le and sophomore Minna Nguyen were successful in presenting their sides of the story, sticking to the facts, and painting a clear portrait for the judge to view. On the defense, sophomore Jocelyn Tran, junior Kevin Sears, junior Ethan Surjana, and senior Steve Chiu showcased their consistency, bringing a sense of credibility, authenticity, and conviction to their role.
The task of ensuring the smooth functioning of courtroom proceedings is a crucial one, one that bailiff Doan and court clerk junior Kayla Tran were successful at, through marking evidence exhibits, swearing in witnesses, assisting the judge with timekeeping and managing court records.
Despite missing playoffs this year, the team looks forward to and remains hopeful for future seasons.
“Big thanks to Mr. Robinson for stepping up when we needed an advisor. This year’s mock trial had a great season, we fought against hard teams, and it gave us valuable learning experience,” David Nguyen said, “For the team next year, I think I can say, for all the seniors on this team, we are gonna be cheering for Mock Trial on the sidelines!”
With seniors departing, the team welcomes new members, and encourages students interested in fields of law and politics to join.
“To someone interested in joining Mock Trial next year, I would highly recommend them to go for it,” Chloe Nguyen said, “You get to make very valuable memories, and it’s a good and fun opportunity for anyone interested in law or public speaking.”
