Mock trial puts students in the hot seat

Every year, teens from Yorkton appear before a Court of Queen's Bench judge for a hands-on look at Canada's justice system.

They are not on trial - they are the members of Yorkton Regional High School's Mock Trial Club, who every spring take on the roles of attorneys and witnesses to argue a simulated case before an actual judge in the annual province-wide McKercher Cup Mock Trial Competition.

"It's interesting, and it's a good experience if you're looking to go into law," says Grade 11 student Kendra Bailey, who has been involved in Mock Trial for three years.

"It's also a good way to see how the court system works and see both sides of the trial," adds Mari Grobler, another participant in her third year with the program.

Bailey, Grobler, and the other team lawyers will have to learn and argue both sides of the case, which this year concerns a fictional 19-year-old accused of possessing a stolen firearm. They are advised by real local attorneys such as Shane Wagner and Crown Prosecutor Daryl Bode.

The student lawyers examine peers in the role of witnesses such as Grade 9 student Donald-Paul Miller.

"So far it's actually been pretty fun, so I think I'll be joining up next year," says Miller.

The school's teachers see considerable educational value in the mock trial experience, which combines elements of law, debate, and drama.

"I think they have an opportunity to learn a great deal here," says Terri Mitchell, one of the teachers who oversees the YRHS program.

"Speaking skills are huge. There's only so much that you can prepare, because you don't know where the testimony of a witness is going to take you. So you need to be prepared to think on your feet."

On the day of the event, held in conjunction with the Canadian Bar Association's Law Day, the group will compete with teams from other schools at Saskatoon's Court of Queen's Bench for a chance at the McKercher Cup and other awards.

YRHS students have been successful at past Mock Trial competitions. At the most recent event in 2011, YRHS student Brandyn Rodgerson took home the "Best Prosecutor" award.

The 2012 McKercher Cup Mock Trial Competition is Saturday, April 21.