Last year, the Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter Public School of South Hadley advanced to the finals where it was defeated by the Winsor School of Boston.
BOSTON – More than 1,000 students across the state will turn their classrooms into courtrooms to assume the roles of both lawyers and witnesses during this year’s 26th annual Mock Trial Program presented by the Massachusetts Bar Association.
The Mock Trial Program starts on Jan. 31 with preliminary trials and runs through April 1.
Last year, the Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter Public School of South Hadley advanced to the finals where it was defeated by the Winsor School of Boston. The Winsor School placed 11th in the national tournament.
In this year’s criminal case, a teenager is charged with involuntary manslaughter for the death of two people in a car accident. The defendant is accused of removing a ‘stop’ sign as part of a high school scavenger hunt.
Area schools participating include Granby Junior-Senior High School, Four Rivers Charter Public School in Greenfield, Hopkins Academy in Hadley, Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter School, Eagle Hill School in Hardwick, Longmeadow High School, Pioneer Valley Regional School in Northfield, Ralph C. Mahar Regional School in Orange, Southwick High School, Springfield Renaissance Expeditionary School in Springfield, Westfield High School and Minnechaug Regional High School in Wilbraham.
At least 1,000 students at more than 100 schools across the commonwealth are expected to participate. More than 100 lawyers across the state will serve as volunteer coaches and judges.
Out of the more than 100 teams of students, four will advance to the semi-final elimination round and face off during trials held simultaneously on March 28 in Boston and Worcester.
The two winning teams will advance to the finals, where they will compete for the state championship slated for April 1 in the Great Hall of Faneuil Hall in Boston.