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Schools compete in CNMI Mock Trial this week
After months of preparation, over 70 private and public school students from Saipan, Tinian, and Rota are expected to participate in the 17th annual High School Mock Trial Competition on Thursday, Feb. 26, and Friday, Feb. 27, at the Guma’ Hustisia. The NMI Judiciary, in collaboration with the CNMI Bar Association and Public School System, will be hosting the competition.
Mock trial provides students with an opportunity to act as trial lawyers and witnesses before a panel of justices, judges, and lawyers. This year, students will be arguing Commonwealth v. Siguenza, a fictitious criminal action about a veteran police officer charged with the murder of a repeat criminal offender and suspected drug dealer.
The competition schedule is as follows:
THURSDAY, FEB. 26
• Opening ceremony at 1pm in Superior Court Courtroom 217.
• Preliminary rounds at 1:15pm and 4pm
FRIDAY, FEB. 27
• Preliminary rounds at 9am and 12:30pm
• Announcement of finalists at 3:15pm
• Championship round at 3:30pm
• Awards ceremony at 6:30pm in the Supreme Court courtroom.
The winning team will advance to the national tournament in Raleigh, North Carolina, to compete with other U.S. jurisdictions on May 14-17. Last year’s champion, Saipan Southern High School, represented the CNMI in Madison, Wisconsin.
For more information, contact Mock Trial coordinator Nicole M. Torres at 236-9800 or nmimocktrial@gmail.com, or CNMI Bar Association executive director Suzanne Steffy at 235-4529; or visit http://www.justice.gov.mp/Mock_Trial_2015_2.php.
