Mock Trial is a class that began at the school for the first time this year. Students taking the class participate in competitions hosted by the Oklahoma Bar Association in a courthouse where they perform a “mock trial” being either the defense or prosecution. 

Junior Cassie Bannister wants to become a lawyer, so she took the class because it sparked her interest. 

“It’s been one of my favorite classes, actually,” Bannister said. “I really think it was a fun experience and I’m glad I did it.”

At the Norman Municipal Court, students arrived anxious to begin their trial. All of the judges treated the students professionally, as if they really were there for a real trial. 

Bannister explained that, for the witnesses, Mock Trial was exactly as one would imagine compared to the public trials portrayed on television or in movies,

“The objections, they do get a little unprofessional in some movies, but in real life, you can’t act like that,” Bannister said. 

According to junior Nick Hickman Teamwork is essential for their success, as every individual role plays an important part in preparing for the trial and contributing during the trial itself.

“Everyone has to play a different role because we’re playing out a case that has so many different people involved in it,” Hickman said. “Having everyone’s hands on all of the different aspects of the trial is really important.”

Each member plays different roles to enact a complex case limited by class size. While some people were lawyers or witnesses, Hickman was the timekeeper. The junior’s main contribution to the team was holding cue cards to tell the team if they were running out of time, because if they go over their designated amount of time, the team could lose points. 

“I also had to help research the case and write questions and train our witnesses before then,” Hickman added.