Dec. 21, 2016 – Riley Thomas is found unconscious and unresponsive after a night with friends that involves alcohol and the prescription drug oxycodone. An emergency responder attempts to resuscitate Thomas with the opiate reversing drug naloxone, but is unable to revive him. Tristan Marks is now charged with first degree reckless homicide.
Did Marks supply the oxycodone, or did Thomas obtain it himself? And was the cause of Thomas’ death oxycodone, alcohol, and/or a serious pre-existing medical condition?
High school students will tackle the difficult issues presented in this fictional Len Bias case just released as part of the Wisconsin Mock Trial 2017 competition.
The 2017 case was developed by the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Mock Trial Writers Committee, headed by Emily Lonergan, chair of the State Bar’s Mock Trial program.
Mock Trial. Real Leaders.
Critical thinking. Problem solving. Public speaking. Teamwork. Since 1983, Mock Trial has helped more than 30,000 Wisconsin students learn leadership skills and make lifelong memories. Here are some of their stories.
“Mock Trial. Real Leaders.” Wisconsin Lawyer, December 2013
What is Mock Trial?
The Mock Trial program provides high school students with an opportunity to act as attorneys and witnesses in a court case developed by State Bar members.
“Mock trial is more than an extracurricular, it’s a one-of-a-kind, career-level experience that shapes a person’s life and career decisions,” Lonergan said. “We hope that the experience will lead to a career in law, but in reality, Mock Trial alumni are applying their skills to just about every career field.”
Students will argue the case in teams of six to 12, first at the regional level, then the top teams in each region – with the addition of a few wild card teams – will advance to the semifinals and then the finals.
“The final round is a special event for the top two teams,” Lonergan said. “These two teams have an opportunity to argue their case in the Wisconsin Supreme Court Hearing Room, and the winning team advances to the national competition.”
Since its inception in 1983, the Wisconsin High School Mock Trial Program has brought our legal system to life for thousands of students. Using facts and case materials developed by Wisconsin attorneys, students gain a deeper understanding of the court system as they develop their arguments and build their cases.
Students have the opportunity to:
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Analyze and prepare a case
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Present as a witness
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Argue their assigned role
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Receive input and feedback from attorneys and judges
Mock Trial Volunteers Needed in Many Areas of the State
The success of the Mock Trial program depends on the volunteer efforts of attorneys like you.
The Wisconsin Mock Trial regional tournaments are set for Feb. 11, 2017, with semifinal and final competitions slated for March 11 and 12, 2017. Regions where volunteers are needed include Appleton, Green Bay, Racine, Waukesha, La Crosse, Eau Claire, Milwaukee, Wausau, Juneau, Madison, Janesville, and Wisconsin Rapids.
Volunteer judges are needed for morning (7 a.m. – noon) and afternoon (12:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.) rounds.
To volunteer or find out more, visit the Mock Trial webpage on WisBar.org or contact Katie Wilcox, State Bar Public Education program manager.
