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Welcome to Frontier Mock Trial Team

PURPOSE

We are a competition trial team that argues real cases against other local high schools in Western New York. The team learns how to present legal arguments, use evidence, argue using objections, move in expert witnesses, voir dire a witness, and more. Students have an opportunity to not only learn what real lawyers do, but they also learn what its like to prepare an argument and see it through using both sides of a case. Students get to work with local attorneys (Chiacchia and Fleming and Gross Shuman), as well as numerous local judges and other legal experts.

Each year a competition committee puts together a case based on some current event issue or New York State law. Students get to review the case starting in early December and have until early February to complete their preparation to argue the case.

Students get 2 preliminary rounds to be able to argue the plaintiff/prosecution side, then the defense side. If the students win at least one of the two preliminary rounds, they move to the playoff rounds. In the playoffs, its win and move on or lose and you are done. If the team does well enough, the move to the State Finals in Albany New York, where the bar association pays the teams costs to get to the location, the hotel costs and some food costs.

The competition is great for students who are looking to enter the field of law for a profession, but also for students looking to increase their speaking skills, reading comprehension skills and also their critical thinking skills, something all colleges and employers are looking for.

For more information on the program, go here: NYS Mock Trial Home Page

NYS Mock Trial Finals Videos History: Videos link

Where is the Competition Held?

The competition is held at City Court in Buffalo on Saturday Mornings starting in late January to early February. Competition times are usually from 9am until approximately 11:30, with students leaving the high school by around 7:30 to get to the courts to set up and prepare final notes. We have had competitions at the University of Buffalo Law School, Daemen College, The Erie County Bar Association, Federal Court Buildings in Buffalo and more.

Students are given 1 practice round as the plaintiff or Prosecution, as well as 1 practice round as the defense. If they win at least 1 round, they move into the elimination rounds in early March. If they win the Erie County section, the move to the regionals. If they win the regionals, they go to Albany to compete against the regional winners from other sections of New York State.

How are these Trials Judged?

The trials are judged by local attorneys and judges, with some trials even being judged by New York State Supreme Court Justices. Students are scored on a 1-5 basis for preparation, understanding of the law and staying within time limits granted (Student get 5 minutes for opening statements, 10 minutes for direct examination and 10 minutes for cross examination. Once the trial has ended, they are allowed limited time to compile their notes then deliver no more than a 10 minute closing argument). Students are also given 0-10 points for professionalism, which is scored on their ability to show poise, be respectful of other teams and the judge, as well as acting in a professional manner

Who do you Compete Against?

We compete against local public and private high schools located in Erie County for the local rounds. For the regional and state rounds, we compete against winners from throughout New York State. In addition, the bar association is working on a virtual option during the time of Covid to continue the competition and allow students the option of getting the value added experience of arguing the law.

Students Involved?

Mock trial clearly would be an area of interest for students interested in studying the law in any capacity. It could be lawyers, law clerks, arbitrators or even those interested in police work or other law enforcement. But it also allows students to sharpen their communication and critical thinking skills. The NUMBER 1 area of interest for employers in all fields is that a student show the ability to communicate effectively. Students who develop this skill have a far better path to success in future career goals.

Our attorney advisor and sponsor is Sarah Rera from Gross, Shuman, as well as Chiacchia and Fleming with attorneys Dan Chiacchia and Lisa Poch.

Frontier students Aneeqa Hartel, Kyra Gawera, Samantha McLaughlin and Amber Matla from the Class of 2020 passing out information to parents on Open House night at the high school

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