Legally Don: The Mock Trial Team Delivers the Verdict on Season Performance

By Sophie Gold and Melisa Adetepe, Business and Community Outreach Team Member and Staff Writer

// “Objection, your Honor, the Acalanes mock trial season has come to an end.” From cutting cross-examinations and persuasive opening statements to convincing witness performances, the Legal Dons have made a full effort to produce a fulfilling season.

Commencing in October, the mock trial team’s season recently came to an end in early February.
The season started strong with two scrimmage tournaments spanning a full day against Moreau High School on Nov. 10 and Menlo High School on Dec. 2.

“We were lucky enough to be able to have two scrimmages in the fall. We went into competition very excited and with a lot of anticipation towards having a good season and we did,” history teacher and mock trial coach Joseph Schottland said.

On Jan. 23, the Don’s prosecution started the competition season with a solid 2-0 win against Dougherty Valley’s defense.

“[Dougherty Valley] was the first [competition] I’ve done, and we ended up winning, which was successful for me because it was the first time ever, and I got high scores,” prosecution attorney and junior Kate Roberts said.

On Jan. 25, the Don’s defense achieved a decisive second victory, defeating De Anza’s prosecution 3-0. Then, on Jan. 30, Acalanes’ prosecution was defeated by Deer Valley’s defense 1-2.

“From the beginning, it was clear that they were a good team, and it felt like a good matchup. They had a couple of outstanding team members, so that definitely made me more locked in,” witness and junior Nathan Joseph said, “By the end, I knew it was going to be close, and then, unfortunately,, the next day, we found out we lost. It was definitely one of the better trials that we had.”

On Feb. 1, the Don’s defense had a strong showing against Las Lomas’ prosecution with a score of 2-1, advancing them to the playoffs.

“In the preliminary rounds, we went three and one, which was really exceptional. We had to win that last match because we were two and one. Had we gone two and two, we would not have advanced to the playoffs, but our defense team came through, and we had a pretty resounding victory over Las Lomas,” Schottland said.

In the playoff round on Feb. 6, the Don’s defense fought hard, but, unfortunately, they were narrowly defeated 1-2 by Deer Valley’s prosecution.

“It was a good trial. I think the judges and scoring attorneys were very helpful, and the other team was really good. Nothing too eventful happened, nothing crazy, but we did end up losing by very few points,” defense expert witness and junior Gianna Bordi said.

Despite a few upsets throughout the season, the mock trial team circumvented some spontaneous setbacks and persisted in celebrating key wins against impressive schools.

“We’ve had to overcome some last-minute role changes with some of our witnesses, where the JV had to move up a few days before the competition… We’ve had to get around some obstacles, but we overcame them,” Roberts said.

Mock trial participants give credit to their coaching staff, which consisted of Scotland, Judge Harlan Grossman, and Michael Carter, who consistently supported them through the ups and downs of the season.

“Our coaches have pushed me to be a smarter and quicker person, which has really affected my ability to become a persuasive and well-rounded arguer,” mock trial captain, lead attorney of the defense, and senior Gabe Gardner said.

At the Contra Costa County Office of Education’s yearly mock trial award ceremony, many mock trial participants received individual recognitions for outstanding legal performance. The first-place opening statement and first-place cross examination went to junior Sadie Poole, the first-place closing statement and first-place direct examination went to Gardner, and the first-place witness went to Bordi. Finally, junior Hannah Geraghty is attending a state competition for her excellent journalism.

Looking to next year, the mock trial team is excited to have another chance to compete.

“Overall, I would say we’re closely matched [to last season], and next year, we’re going to be at our peak. I know next year we’re going to be amazing,” defendant and junior Jay Laurenson said.