Bensalem High School Mock Trial Team Honored
The Bensalem School Board recognized the Bensalem High School’s Mock Trial Team. They competed in State championships in Harrisburg finishing in the top 4 out of 262 teams in Pennsylvania.
The PBA Young Lawyer Division High School Mock Trial Competition is one of the largest competitions of its kind in the nation. It provides more than 290 high school student teams from across the state with an opportunity to simulate civil trials before actual judges and juries, acting as lawyers and witnesses. Lawyers volunteer to serve as team advisors, scorekeepers, and regional coordinators to assist the students. The winning team is selected to represent Pennsylvania in the national competition each year.
In addition to Bensalem High School, 12 teams participated in the state championships, including Aquinas Academy of Pittsburgh; Abington Heights; Central Bucks East High School; Eden Christian Academy; Greensburg Salem High School; Spring Grove; Henderson High School; Montoursville High School; North Penn High School; Northwestern Senior High School; Roman Catholic High School; The Mathematics, Civics and Sciences Charter School of Philadelphia; and Wyoming Seminary College Preparatory School.
During the competition, student teams were given the opportunity to present both sides of a case before a judge. The students, who take on the roles of lawyers, witnesses, plaintiffs, and defendants, receive guidance from teacher coaches and lawyer advisors in preparing for the competition. Lawyers and community leaders acted as jurors for the mock trials. Based on the teams’ abilities to prepare their cases, present arguments, and follow court rules, the juries determined the winners for each trial.