Complete Story
 

04/05/2018

Students Try Murder Case in Annual Mock Trial Showcase 

News Release Contact:    Kate Strickland 
For Immediate Release:   Executive Director, Ohio Center for Law-Related Education  KStrickland@oclre.org; 614-485-3510 

 

Students Try Murder Case in Annual Mock Trial Showcase 

COLUMBUS (April 5, 2018) - Nearly 450 Ohio middle school students, representing 27 schools, will bring a classic piece of literature to life at the Ohio Center for Law-Related Education (OCLRE) annual Middle School Mock Trial Showcase, April 6, 19, and 20 at the Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial Center.   

OCLRE middle school mock trials are crafted from literature commonly taught in middle school classrooms.  This year’s case is based on The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi, in which 13-year-old Charlotte Doyle travels aboard a cargo ship from England to the United States in the early 1800s.  While on board, the crew attempts a mutiny, after which the first mate is found dead.  Upon landing in Rhode Island, Charlotte is charged with the murder of the officer. Students in the middle school mock trial program take on the roles of witnesses and attorneys to determine Charlotte's fate.    

With the help of teachers and attorneys, students learn about the legal system and develop reading, research, writing, and public speaking skills.  Teams must argue both prosecution and defense before a panel of volunteer attorneys and judges who evaluate their performance. 

Teams from the following schools will participate in the state showcase: Beliefs Character Academics Academy Home School Group (Delaware County), Bethany School (Hamilton County); Blendon Middle School (Franklin County); Chagrin Falls Intermediate School (Cuyahoga County); Columbus Gifted Academy (Franklin County);  Danville Middle School (Knox County); Dominion Middle School (Franklin County); Garfield Middle School (Cuyahoga County); Genoa Middle School (Franklin County); Harding Middle School (Cuyahoga County); Hastings Middle School (Franklin County); Heath Middle School (Licking County); Heritage Middle School (Franklin County); Independence Middle School (Cuyahoga County); Jackson Memorial Middle School (Stark County); Kenneth Clement Boys Leadership Academy (Cuyahoga County); Menlo Park Academy (Cuyahoga County); Perrysburg Jr. High School (Wood County); Ridgeview Middle School (Franklin County); Sherwood Middle School (Franklin County); St. Hilary School (Summit County); Trellis Academy Home School Group (Knox County); Village Academy (Delaware County); Walnut Hills Middle School (Hamilton County); Walnut Springs Middle School (Franklin County); Wheelersburg Middle School (Scioto County); and Zane Trace Middle School (Ross County). 

OCLRE is a non-profit, nonpartisan organization whose mission is to improve society by developing citizens empowered with an understanding of our democratic system.  OCLRE is sponsored by the Supreme Court of Ohio, Ohio Attorney General, Ohio State Bar Association, and the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio Foundation.  Middle School Mock Trial is funded in part by the Ohio State Bar Foundation.  For more information, please visit www.oclre.org.   

                                                                                  ### 

Printer-Friendly Version


Partnering with Teachers to Bring Citizenship to Life

Our Sponsors

Ohio Supreme Court      Ohio Attorney General         ohio state bar         ACLU