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Judiciary Mock Trial Academy begins Saturday
For the first time in mock trial competition history, the Judiciary will conduct a Mock Trial Academy at the Guma’ Hustisia on Nov. 15, 21, and 22, 2014. Over 100 high school mock trial students are set to attend sessions on trial decorum, opening statements, closing arguments, and the Rules of Evidence.
2014 Mock Trial champions, Saipan Southern High School, with Chief Justice Alexandro C. Castro, middle left, attorney-coach Michael Sato, middle right, and teacher-coach Frank Borja, bottom right. (NMI JUDICIARY)
Academy instructors include Garth Backe, Assistant U.S. Attorney for Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands; Rexford C. Kosack, private practice attorney and former CNMI attorney general; Timothy H. Bellas, private practice attorney, justice pro tem, and former CNMI Superior Court judge; and Robert T. Torres, private practice attorney and former CNMI attorney general. The academy will assist in preparing students for the CNMI and national mock trial competitions.
The CNMI High School Mock Trial competition, similar to a state-level competition, is an opportunity for students to study a hypothetical case and act as prosecution and defense attorneys or witnesses, and in the process, learn about the justice system as well as develop oral advocacy and critical thinking skills. The competition will take place in February 2015, and is annually sponsored by the CNMI Bar Association, Public School System, and Judiciary.
The winning team will represent the CNMI at the National High School Mock Trial Championship in Raleigh, North Carolina in May 2015. (NMI Judiciary)
