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Black Serves as a Judge for Mock Trial Competition

On Saturday, March 5, Janet Ward Black served on a panel of judges for the annual North Carolina High School Mock Trial Competition State Championship.  As a member and supporter of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice (NCAJ), which sponsors the program, Black has served as a judge multiple times over the years.  The statewide program was established as a fun, yet effective way for high school students to learn how the US judicial system works and to promote active citizenship on many levels.

The NC High School Mock Trial competition, which was held in four courtrooms at Campbell University Law School in Raleigh on March 5, pitted student teams from eight high schools from across the state.  Each of the teams had previously won in regional competitions held in Asheville, Charlotte, Durham, Fayetteville, Greenville, High Point, Raleigh and Wilmington on February 5.  The two-day event narrowed the competition down to two teams in the finals:  Raleigh Charter High School and the NC Home Educators Speech Club also from the Triangle area.  The NCHE Speech Club carried away the championship by presenting the best case in the final round.  They will represent North Carolina in the National High School Mock Trial Championship in Phoenix, Arizona in May.

Rebecca Britton, Vice President of the Carolina Center for Civic Education who facilitates the program for the NCAJ, feels the program strengthens students speaking and thinking skills.  She said, “The high school mock trial program gives students the opportunity to use critical thinking skills while developing confidence in public speaking.  Students learn to think on their feet and to analyze situations from all perspectives.”

For more information on the mock trial competition in North Carolina, click here.

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