Elizabethtown College students participated in    a Regional Mock Trial tournament Feb. 16 and 17. The mock trial took place in the County Courthouse in historic downtown Lancaster. The tournament consisted of 24 teams from 17 different colleges and universities. Teams consisted of six to 10 students; Elizabethtown College sent two teams.
The schools in attendance came from the northeastern United States, ranging as far south as Patrick Henry College in Purcellville, Va. and spread northward throughout New England.
Some of the other competing schools included Columbia University, Franklin & Marshall College, Georgetown University, Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University, Temple University and Yale University.
The American Mock Trial Association started its annual tradition of mock trials in 1985; Etown has participated since 1996. This year was the first year that the College, along with the Lancaster Bar Association, hosted the event. “They were absolutely thrilled to co-host it,” said Dr. Kyle C. Kopko, director of Elizabethtown College’s pre-law program of the Lancaster Bar Association. “It went so well,” Kopko said. “The Lancaster County Courthouse was so supportive and had plenty of courtrooms to accommodate tournament participants.”
This year’s case, fabricated by the American Mock Trial Association, was that of a wrongful death charge regarding a scuba diver. The imaginary dead person, Lee Allen, ran out of air and died during a dive. Students were to argue whether the death was Allen’s fault or the fault of the diving company.
Each student was given information packets containing evidence, witness lists, etc., and was assigned to argue on behalf of the plaintiff or defense. The tournament consists of four rounds, two on Saturday and two on Sunday, with extra rounds lasting about three haours. a
Participating students filled all of the roles within the 12 courtrooms, including witnesses and attorneys. They were required to switch duties after each round. If a student was on the defense in round one, he or she would be for the plaintiff during round two.
The students are rated on a 1-10 scale based on how well they advocate for their given role. At the end of the competition, individuals combine scores with team members to generate the team’s score.
Students can participate in the mock trial all four years of college. They must enroll in the four credit mock trial course, which is divided into two segments: two credits for the fall and two credits for the spring. After a student’s first year, the course can be taken again for no credit, allowing continued participation in the event. Julia Ward, senior political science major at Etown is one such student, having participated in mock trial since her first year here. “Mock trial has given me the opportunity to experience valuable learning outside of the classroom. My involvement in mock trial has really solidified my interest in pursuing a legal career,” Ward said.
Kopko was also once an undergraduate member of the Etown mock trial team. He competed three years as an undergraduate and just attended his third mock trial as an Etown faculty member. “It’s a lot of nostalgia and a lot of fun. I’d love to go back and do it again,” Kopko said.
Kopko was happy with the teams’ performances this year. “The teams were very young this year, with a lot of underclassmen,” Kopko said. “A lot of them were participating for the first time.” He looks forward to next year, and is hoping to see a bigger turnout for teams.
This year’s two competing Etown teams were not among the top scorers at the competition. Therefore, they will not be participating in the upcoming Philadelphia Opening Round Championship tournament. This Championship is open to the public and will take place March 23 and 24.