Mock trials will make their first appearance in Wenatchee High School as part of Advanced Debate, a new class starting the 2014-2015 school year.

A mock trial involves students acting out the roles of witnesses, lawyers, bailiffs, and other positions as part of a fictional court case. The River Academy and some schools on the west side of Washington state are involved with mock trials, but it is fairly new to the Wenatchee area, according to WHS English teacher Brian Higgins, who will be the adviser for Advanced Debate class next year.

Students enrolled in Advanced Debate and/or are part of Debate Club will be able to compete in regional, statewide, and national competitions. The class will be similar to DECA in the way that competitions are connected to a class, according to Higgins.

The class will offer elective credits for freshmen and sophomores, speech credit for juniors, and senior English credits for seniors.

Higgins hopes to have lawyers and judges come into the class to train students how to be part of a trial.

“[Advanced Debate] is more than just a classroom thing,” Higgins said. “Parent volunteers, lawyers, judges, and Debate Club are also in charge.”

“[Debate Club is] excited because mock trials are overall really interesting for those who are interested in law,” freshman debate team member Vivian Noyd said.

Mock trials will not be a part of Debate Club and will only be offered as part of Advanced Debate, according to Higgins.