Press Release: News Release March 2003: Regional champs head to mock trial semis:

News Release March 2003: Regional champs head to mock trial semis

For Immediate Release
	CONTACT: Jason Westphal State Bar of Wisconsin (800) 444-9404, ext. 6077 jwestphal@wisbar.org

Regional champs head to mock trial semis

MADISON, March 6, 2003 - Students from 16 state high schools will compete in the semifinals of the State Bar of Wisconsin's Mock Trial Tournament on Sunday, March 9 at the Dane County Courthouse in Madison (see attached). The morning trials will begin at 8 a.m., with the afternoon sessions starting at 1:30 p.m.

The teams advanced to the semifinal round by winning the regional tournament last month. Teams of six to 12 students will argue a case before a panel of three mock trial judges consisting of actual judges and attorneys. This year's simulated trial is a criminal case that involves the battery of a student apparently instigated by the defendant's perception of the victim's sexual orientation.

The two semifinal winners will compete in the finals at 1:30 p.m. on Monday in the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Teams competing in the final round will present their cases before Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson, Justice Jon Wilcox, Justice Ann Walsh Bradley and Justice David Prosser. The state champion will represent Wisconsin in the National Mock Trial Finals in New Orleans, Louisiana this May.

The High School Mock Trial Tournament is designed to develop and test critical thinking and public speaking skills while exposing students to the atmosphere of a real-life trial situation. Hundreds of Wisconsin lawyers, judges and teachers statewide volunteer to coordinate the State Bar's High School Mock Trial tournament annually as a way of serving the community by educating students about the legal process.

For more information on the Mock Trial Tournament, visit www.legalexplorer.com, or contact Dee Runaas at (800) 444-9404, ext. 6191.

The State Bar of Wisconsin is the mandatory professional association, created by the Wisconsin Supreme Court, for attorneys who hold a law license in Wisconsin. With more than 20,000 members, the State Bar aids the courts in improving the administration of justice, provides continuing legal education for its members, and assists Wisconsin lawyers in carrying out initiatives to educate the public about the legal system.

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