For many students, the justice system within a court of law is a huge mystery. What many of them do know, they have learned through the internet, TV dramas, and movies, which provide no practical experience of what it is truly like to be in court. This year, students interested in entering the justice system, or even just curious about courtroom procedures no longer have to rely on Hollywood and Wikipedia to gain knowledge. Wenatchee High School and Westside High School have welcomed a new club that aims to educate students on what it is really like to be in a courtroom. Students from both schools have united to create a Mock Trial team, joining schools all around the state, as well as the nation, in what appears to be an activity growing in popularity.

Mock Trials are student-led trials with a real citizen jury and a judge, held in a real courtroom. Students act as prosecuting and defense attorneys, as well as witnesses. “It basically is taking debate and drama and mashing them together,” said co-captain junior Christian Brandt-Sims.

Mock Trials have a case, either civil or criminal, written by a judge. A different judge and a citizen jury are assigned to the case, and the students must work together in teams of seven as either the prosecution or defense. “We get the case, and it’s our job to rip it apart and put it back together,” said sophomore co-captain Vivian Noyd.

As a brand new club this year, WHS and WSHS’ team has a lot to learn. Mock Trials are a very large deal in schools around Seattle. In fact, Seattle Preparatory School, a private high school in Seattle, won the national championship this year. They have three teams: Varsity, JV and a team for newcomers. This makes for a formidable foe, but with the help of local lawyers and judges, Brandt-Sims and Noyd both expressed their confidence in the team and how far they will get. “I would like to make it to state,” said Brandt-Sims. “I’d like to be number one.”

The club is for students in grades 9-12 in the Wenatchee School District. Anyone can join, and experience is not necessary to do so. They meet at Westside High School on Sunday afternoons, usually around 5:00 p.m, and around 8:30 a.m at Wenatchee High School on Mondays. The team will be traveling around to other schools for practice mock trials, which are called scrimmages. The advisers are parent volunteer Jennifer Noyd and Westside teacher Frank Brandt.