Staff Writer
Part of ‘Law Day’ events
A courtroom can be an intimidating place, and it can become more so when you are a high school student presenting a case in front of a judge for the first time.
Such was the case at the annual “Law Day High School Mock Trial Competition” at the Duval County Courthouse Thursday. High school students from The Bolles School participated in the competition and represented both prosecution and defense during deliberations of a fictitious case. Duval County Court Judge Pauline Drake presided over the competition and was impressed with how the students handled themselves in court.
“It is always gratifying to see the participation of high school students in mock trial competitions. Their participation in the process guarantees that the Constitution will always be the hallmark by which we all live,” said Drake.
“The students were prepared and showed a remarkable maturity in their preparation and delivery of the presentation. It is this kind of participation that should encourage all of us that our young people are willing, able, and capable of advanced responsibilities. The students did a remarkable job and should be commended for their hard work,” she said.
Students were given a fictitious case to argue and they served the roles of prosecution, defense and witnesses. Best overall team award went to the defense. Best prosecution advocate was Ajay Shroff. Best defense advocate was Ansh Grover. Best witness was Scott Fligor.
Those serving as the prosecution were Shroff and Lindsey Grubbs as advocates and Grant Petito and Alora Clark as witnesses.
Those serving on defense were Grover and Craig Fligor as advocates and Scott Fligor and Azeem Rathore as witnesses.
“It was a great pleasure to see such intelligent and dedicated students compete in this trial competition,” said attorney Jason Gropper, a guest judge for the competition. “Each one of them was incredibly well prepared, and at times, it was hard to believe that they were only in high school,” he said.
The teams were coached by Andrew Dickson.
Drake also recognized members of the legal community who volunteered their time to assist the students in their education of the practice of law.
“The teachers, lawyers and law students who work to support this program should also be commended,” said Drake.
Attorneys Daniel Hilbert, Jason Gropper, Erin Moorman Pooley, Christa Figgins and Tricia Rado served as judges, as well as Florida Coastal School of Law students Christopher U. Warren, Matthew B. Roepstorff and Vanessa L. Albaum.
JBA Law Day Chair Fraz Ahmed and Law Day Committee members Lindsay Tygart-Havice, Lois Ragsdale, Brad Blair and Mike Lokamy helped organize the event, which was sponsored by The Florida Coastal School of Law.
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