Durham Schools Compete in Mock Trial This Weekend – Sponsored by James Scott Farrin
(PRWEB) January 30, 2014 -- The Seahawks and the Broncos aren’t the only ones preparing for battle this weekend.
Ten high school mock trial teams are also making last minute preparations for a competition of their own - the annual Durham North Carolina Regional High School Mock Trial Competition , organized by the non-profit Carolina Center for Civic Education (CCCE), which will take place at the Durham County Courthouse on February 1st.
“Students, teachers, and parents agree that mock trial participation is valuable for any career path a student may choose,” said CCCE Program Coordinator Susan Johnson. “Through mock trial, students learn to think critically, communicate clearly, and work together as a team. They develop leadership skills and a greater appreciation for their role as citizens.”
According to Johnson, students spend months learning how to craft and deliver opening statements, closing arguments, direct examinations, and cross examinations. With the guidance of local volunteer attorneys, students also learn how to make and defend objections.
At the competition, students simulate litigation proceedings by playing the roles of attorneys, witnesses and bailiffs. Their performance is judged by local attorneys and judges, who volunteer their time to act as jurors and judges.
“Many of the attorneys who volunteer are excellent in their field and some of the judges are NC Supreme Court Justices. The advice and expertise they share during these competitions is really invaluable,” said Adrienne Blocker, an accomplished local attorney and co-regional coordinator for the competition.
The mock trial competition began over 22 years ago in Raleigh, according to Johnson, but has since developed into a competition that spans eight regions and consists of more than 80 teams statewide. This is the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin’s second year sponsoring the event.
“We deeply appreciate the firm’s continued sponsorship of the regional competition,” Johnson said. “Because of their assistance, the students are able to argue their case in the beautiful new Justice Center and receive memorabilia, such as sports bags, to take home after the event.”
Ten teams will participate in the competition on Saturday: Carter Woodson Charter School, Central Carolina Homeschoolers, two teams from Chapel Hill High School, two teams from East Forsyth High School, two teams from Forsyth Country Day School, and two teams from the North Carolina School of Science and Math.
ABOUT THE LAW OFFICES OF JAMES SCOTT FARRIN:
The Law Offices of James Scott Farrin is headquartered in the American Tobacco Historic District, adjacent to the Durham Bulls Athletic Park, in Durham, North Carolina, with 12 additional offices statewide in Charlotte, Fayetteville, Greensboro, Greenville, Goldsboro, Henderson, New Bern, Raleigh, Roanoke Rapids, Rocky Mount, Sanford and Wilson. The firm’s 32 attorneys focus on the following practice areas: Personal Injury, Workers’ Compensation, Social Security Disability, Eminent Domain, Intellectual Property, Civil Rights, Mass Torts and Products Liability. Three of the attorneys are North Carolina Board Certified Specialists in Workers’ Compensation Law and one is a North Carolina Board Certified Specialist in Social Security Disability Law. The Law Offices of James Scott Farrin is involved in the community, including sponsorship of local philanthropic organizations and an active employee matching donation program.
Contact Information:
David Chamberlin
280 S. Mangum Street, Suite 400
Durham, NC 27701
866-844-4262
http://www.farrin.com
David Chamberlin, Law Offices of James Scott Farrin, http://www.farrin.com, +1 877-393-4990, [email protected]
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