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More InformationOhio Mock Trial High School Competition
About High School Mock Trial
Watch your students grow both academically and personally, right before your eyes! Students learn first-hand about the law, court procedures and the judicial system while also building critical 21st Century skills.
Ohio Mock Trial offers an innovative approach to learning the law and how our legal system functions. Guided by teachers and volunteer legal advisors, students participate in an original, unscripted simulated trial written by attorneys. High school students argue both sides of the case in real courtrooms across the state. The state finals are held in the Ohio Statehouse and the winner advances to the national competition.
Each year volunteer attorneys create an original case around a current constitutional issue important to students. Mock Trial teams work with an attorney or a judge to prepare their case – from both the plaintiff and defense perspective. Competitions at the district, regional and state levels are conducted in an actual courtroom and are scored by panels of lawyers and judges.
Mock Trial Objectives
- Improve critical thinking, reading, writing, public speaking and listening skills
- Develop understanding and appreciation for the law, court procedures, and the judicial system
- Understand constitutional rights and responsibilities
- Recognize and reward students’ academic and intellectual achievements
For questions, contact Jenna Lewis at jlewis@oclre.org or 614-485-3515.
2024 Ohio Mock Trial Case
OCLRE is excited to release the 2024 Ohio Mock Trial Case! In the case State of Buckeye v. Ash Espinosa, students will examine the history and application of the Excessive Fines Clause of the Eighth Amendment. Specifically, this case looks at excessive fines in the context of property forfeiture resulting from a crime. The defendant, Ash Espinosa, has pled guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering. The State is now looking to recover the loss of the conspiracy by seizing Espinosa’s 1967 Chevrolet Camaro. However, Espinosa argues against the Camaro’s seizure for two reasons: 1) Espinosa asserts that the State has seized more property and funds than what Espinosa owes and 2) Espinosa argues that, even if the Court determines that Espinosa is responsible for the remaining loss, seizure of the Camaro would violate Espinosa’s Eighth Amendment right against excessive fines. To learn more, order the 2024 Mock Trial case below!
Order the Ohio High School Mock Trial case HERE!
Errata Updates
Errata updates will be posted on this page, as well as the restricted webpage containing the case materials. Please refer to the Mock Trial case file for a complete list of errata dates.
The errata sheet serves to clarify or correct errors in the Mock Trial case and/or rules. The errata sheet does not address team strategy, coaching, or judging protocol. If a question received does not meet the criteria for errata (e.g., pertains to an evidence question), an email response will be sent to the individual advisor.
Final Errata Update - 01/16/24
Errata Update - 01/02/24
Errata Update - 12/12/23
Errata Update - 11/28/23
Errata Update - 11/14/23
Errata Update - 10/31/23
First Errata Update - 10/17/23
Note: Only team advisors may submit errata questions.
2024 Case Topic Session
Watch 2023 Case Committee Co-Chair Ben Sandlin give an overview of the legal topic in the 2024 Ohio Mock Trial Case File, State of Buckeye v. Ash Espinosa.
Case Materials Cost
|
Member Rate (Digital): | Non-Member Rate (Digital) |
Digital Case File (PDF): |
$165 | $260 |
*Hard Copy Student Manuals: |
$23 | $28 |
Shipping (Student manuals only): |
$15 shipping for hard copy orders up to 10 case files $30 shipping for hard copy orders of 11+ case files |
*Hard copy student manuals may only be purchased in addition to the digital case file. All schools participating in the Mock Trial Competition must purchase a digital case file.
Previous Cases
Looking for a prior year's case file? To view a complete list of case summaries from 1983-2023, click HERE. To order a prior year's case, please complete the order form HERE.
2022-23 In Re S. Khan: Stevie Khan was a student at Trillium High School. When a prank ruined the school’s annual alumni breakfast during their junior year, Stevie became a suspect. During the investigation into the prank, Stevie was brought into the Dean of Students’ office where Stevie was asked about their involvement in the prank. At some point during the questioning, the school resource officer (SRO) Ari Nowak became involved. Stevie’s statements during the questioning led to a search warrant and Stevie’s ultimate arrest. Now, Stevie Khan is moving the court to suppress the incriminating statements that led to the search warrant, claiming a violation of their constitutional rights. Stevie claims that their questioning was a custodial interrogation, and they should have been read their Miranda rights. 2022-23 Case Capsule Video
2021-22 State of Buckeye ex rel. Hollis Fitzpatrick v. Fran DeBier, et al.: Hollis Fitzpatrick was the owner of a family restaurant, Fitzpatrick’s, in downtown Harmony. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck the state of Buckeye in 2020, Fitzpatrick’s struggled financially and ultimately shut down. Hollis blames the government restrictions for the closure of their restaurant and is taking legal action to be compensated for their loss. This case asks students to consider whether the pandemic restrictions were so severe that they constituted a taking of Hollis Fitzpatrick’s property that requires just compensation. 2021-22 Case Capsule Video
2020-21 State of Buckeye v. Micah Opessa: In 2019, Micah Opessa pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the death of their former best-friend, Haumea Robins. A year into their sentence, Micah found out the eyewitness who saw Micah fleeing the crime recanted their testimony. Now, Micah has filed a motion to withdraw their guilty plea, claiming the prosecutor violated their constitutional rights when they knowingly withheld this information when they offered Micah a plea deal. The Supreme Court ruling in Brady v. Maryland requires the prosecution to overturn exculpatory evidence during trial. In this Mock Trial case, students will argue whether this precedent also applies to plea negotiations. 2020-21 Case Capsule Video
2019-20 Rory Maldonado v. Blake Varga et al: During their senior year at Trillium High School, Rory Maldonado was suspended by Principal Blake Varga for organizing and hosting a gun rights demonstration. The demonstration occurred off campus at a nearby public park but Principal Varga claimed that Rory’s demonstration caused disruption at the school. Rory believed Principal Varga simply disagreed with Rory’s position on gun rights, which led to the suspension. Now, Rory is suing Principal BlakeVarga and the school for a deprivation of their First Amendment Rights. 2019-20 Case Capsule Video
2018-19 State of Buckeye v. Quinn Woolf: Quinn Woolf: High school student, Quinn Woolf, was arrested on charges of aggravated assault and telecommunications fraud for stealing $120 million from the State of Buckeye’s pension fund. The state is basing its charges on drone footage of the Woolf’s backyard captured from 400 feet in the air that was later enhanced. Defense has moved to exclude the drone footage, claiming that police violated Quinn’s Fourth Amendment protection against unlawful search and seizure. 2018-19 Case Capsule Video
For more information on how to become involved with the Ohio High School Mock Trial program, please contact Jenna Lewis at jlewis@oclre.org or call 614-485-3515.
Mock Trial Listening Tour
With summer just around the corner, The High School Mock Trial Listening Tour is almost here! Throughout the month of June, OCLRE will host a series of town hall meetings, with both in-person and virtual options, to hear from mock trial teachers and advisors. We know you worked hard to prepare your students and you have valuable insight. We are always looking for ways to innovate and improve the mock trial program and your feedback helps!
This year, we will host in-person meetings in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus, and Portsmouth as well as a virtual meeting option. Please see options below for date/time:
- Cleveland - Thursday, June 6 at 10:30am
- Cincinnati - Wednesday, June 12 at 10:30am
- Columbus – Thursday, June 20 at 10:30am
- Portsmouth – Wednesday, June 26 at 10:30am
- Virtual – Thursday, June 27 at 5:30pm
Click HERE to register and to receive meeting details or contact Jenna Lewis (jlewis@oclre.org) with any questions.
2024 Mock Trial Competition
Congratulations to Springfield High School on winning the 2024 Ohio Mock Trial State Competition! The team will represent Ohio at the National High School Mock Trial Competition in Delaware this May.
[2024 State Program]
Team Registration Cost
Member Rate per team* | Non-Member Rate per team* |
$170 | $265 |
*Schools are limited to a maximum of three teams for the 2023-2024 competition. Please refer to the Mock Trial rules for more information.
For more information on how to become involved with the Ohio High School Mock Trial program, please contact Jenna Lewis at jlewis@oclre.org or call 614-485-3515.
Professional Development
2023 Mock Trial Conference
Thank you to everyone who participated in the 4th Annual Mock Trial Conference! Please refer to your confirmation email for information about session recordings. We hope to see you again next year!
Mock Trial Conference Cost
In-Person Day 1 |
$50 |
*In-Person Day 1 & Day 2 |
$75 |
Recordings Only |
$25 |
*Day 2 is only available to Introduction to Mock Trial Attendees who also attend Day 1.
If you are interested in learning more about Ohio High School Mock Trial, please contact Jenna Lewis at jlewis@oclre.org.
Annual Lori Urogdy Eiler Award
Nominate your Mock Trial advisor for the 2024 Eiler Award HERE
The Eiler Award for Mock Trial Coaching Excellence is named in honor of Lori Eiler, retired teacher and former mock trial advisor at Shaw High School in East Cleveland. Every year, mock trial students nominate advisors who, like Lori, connect with and challenge them to achieve individual personal best.
Presented annually, the Lori Urogdy Eiler Award recognizes an Ohio Mock Trial teacher, legal advisor, volunteer or administrator whose dedication and selflessness in giving their time, as well as their knowledge and skills, makes a difference in the lives of students. Eligible candidates are those who regularly inspire and motivate teams to outstanding performance, while also modeling civility and holding their students accountable for the same. Candidates demonstrate an ability to connect with team members as individuals, helping them to overcome obstacles to success and leading them to achieve an individual "personal best." Nominations are reviewed and voted on by the OCLRE Board of Trustees and the award will be presented at the Fall Mock Trial Conference, typically held in September.
2023 Eiler Award
Trophy for the 2023 Eiler Award winner, Andy Janig.
The Ohio Center for Law-Related Education is pleased to name Reading Jr/Sr High School teacher Andy Janig as the recipient of the 2023 Eiler Award for Mock Trial Coaching Excellence! Janig was officially honored at the 4th Annual Mock Trial Conference on September 25th at the Ohio Judicial Center in Columbus.