Close to 100 Grade 12 students from Rainbow District School Board and Sudbury Catholic District School Board donned legal gowns May 11 during the 18th annual Mock Trial Competition.
They were asked to defend the case of an individual charged with assault causing injuries that resulted in the death of another person, contrary to s. 236 of the Criminal Code of Canada.
The Hennessy Cup was awarded to the team from Sudbury Secondary School, including Deliah-Hope Law, Jessica Sawyer, Emme Dalle Vedove, Michele Cyrenne, Casandra Dufour, Ryan Fisher, Portia Jonasson and Gabriel Taylor.
The top honour is named after Madame Justice Patricia C. Hennessy, Mock Trial Project Lead since the Mock Trial’s inception 18 years ago.
Silver medals were presented to students from Confederation Secondary School, including Alannah Lawson, Jack Ainsworth, Emma Oldford, Brady Coufal, Lauren Knox and Ian Morris.
“The students participating in the Mock Trials put in a lot of effort,” says Madam Justice Karen Lische.
“They are focused and prepared for their trial, thanks to the mentoring and coaching by numerous local lawyers who donate their valuable time for this event. By the end of the event, they will have raised their confidence levels and their advocacy skills.
“They practice what they have been learning in a real courtroom in front of a real judge. The skills they learn and practice during the mock trial process will assist them in years to come, no matter the career they choose.”
Rainbow District School Board Chair, Doreen Dewar, thanked the volunteer coaches from the Sudbury and District Law Association and the Sudbury Crown Attorney’s Office who, year after year, provide hundreds of hours of time to this project.
“Through the Mock Trial Competition, local lawyers make an invaluable contribution to student learning by bringing the classroom into the courtroom,” she said. “Many students have been inspired to pursue studies in the legal field after secondary school.”
The Mock Trial Competition is well established within the Grade 12 Law curriculum. In addition to meeting curriculum expectations, mock trials develop other skills in students, including public speaking, teamwork, presentation, preparation and critical thinking skills.
