by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
Students from Florida Coastal School of Law weren’t the only people experiencing the mock trial competition format for the first time Friday at the Duval County Courthouse.
About 30 students and 12 judges from the Jacksonville legal community met at the Courthouse to get an education outside of the classroom.
The annual Intramural competition gave students a chance to gain courtroom experience in opening and closing statements, cross examination and presenting evidence. Additionally, the intramural competition allows students a chance to compete against fellow classmates before the school sends teams to compete against other schools from across the state and the country.
It was the first time most students had the chance to practice in an actual courtroom, but it was also a new experience for some of the judges.
“I’m teaching a trial practice workshop at Florida Coastal and I was asked to participate in the competition,” said U.S. Magistrate Judge James Klindt. “It reminds me of just how difficult trial work and how fun it is. I can tell (the students) practiced a lot and they prepared very well.”
About 30 students made the mock trial team of the 150 that tried out.
“The competition gives them an education that they don’t get in the classroom,” said Jeptha Barbour, former Jacksonville Bar Association President and judge. “Everyone involved takes it very seriously and they prepared very well.”
Some of the students were able to practice in front of real judges, Klindt and Senior Circuit Court Judge Bernard Nachman. They also benefited from the experience of past Florida Bar President Rutledge Liles.
The students were given a ficticious case and members of the mock trial team were prosecutors, defense attorneys and witnesses.
Teams were also given a chance to perform on both sides of the case, prosecution and defense during three sessions, one on Friday and two Saturday.
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