But for now they are doing research, learning about courtroom procedures and practicing. The team took its first shot Dec. 12 at a run-through of the case that will be argued during competition. This is the 23rd year the state Center for Civic Values has sponsored the statewide mock trial competition, but it's only the second time in recent years that Moriarty will be fielding a team, Jackson said. Frank Maher are helping prepare the team, with assistance from local attorney Dennis Wallin. Jackson hopes the mock trial team will eventually serve as a preparatory squad for the school's honors civics class, which competes each year in a Constitution contest.
Any student can join the mock trial team, but the honors civics class is limited to seniors.
Rules for the state mock trial competition limit the number of students on a team to eight. But Jackson said 14 students wanted to be on the team, so Moriarty will have two teams competing. The regional competition will be held in Albuquerque on Feb. 17. The top two teams in each of the state's three regions will go to the state competition March 16. May. Each team in the state is given the same case to argue for the regional and state competitions.