34th annual Mock Trial Competition kicks off Friday

WILMINGTON – The state’s youngest Atticus Finches and Elle Woodses are gearing up for a yearly favorite of the law community.

The 34th annual Delaware High School Mock Trial Competition is set to take place this weekend at the Leonard L. Williams Justice Center in Wilmington.

Students from 18 schools across the state will gather on Friday, Feb. 28, and Saturday, March 1, to showcase their legal skills in a competitive, round-robin style event.

More than 228 students will participate, representing Archmere Academy, Cab Calloway School of the Arts, Cape Henlopen, Charter School of Wilmington, Concord High, Howard High, Mt. Pleasant, Newark Charter, Padua, Salesianum, Smyrna, St. Mark’s, Tatnall, Tower Hill, and Wilmington Friends.

The competition provides a unique opportunity for high school students to experience the legal world firsthand.

“Mock trial is a perfect combination of learning and fun,” said Betsy Renzo, executive director of the Delaware Law Related Education Center, which organizes the event. “Students get to put on a play, while also learning how to advocate. They don’t just learn critical, thinking skills, effective argumentation skills, and concise persuasion, they also get to feel what it’s like to be a real lawyer.”

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With guidance from attorney coaches, participants prepare cases, learn courtroom protocols, and face off against other teams in mock trial scenarios.

While many of the students may not pursue careers in law, the competition fosters transferable skills such as public speaking, critical thinking, and teamwork that will serve them in various professional fields.

More than 180 members of the Delaware Bench and Bar volunteer their time as attorney coaches and judges, offering their expertise throughout the event.

Unlike traditional trials, the judges will not determine the winner of the case but will instead evaluate the students on their legal knowledge, courtroom conduct, and argumentative skills.

Awards will be given for the best attorney, best witness, and other notable performances, while separate competitions are held for courtroom sketch artists and student court journalists.

Mock Trial scenario

This year’s case centers on a civil matter involving a confrontation at the DECO food court in Wilmington.

A security guard, “Tyler Jessup,” used a stun gun against an individual after a parking dispute.

The person hit by the stun gun, who later suffered a fractured hip, is suing the food court operators for negligent hiring and failure to properly train Jessup. Throughout the competition, students will alternate between arguing the plaintiff’s and defendant’s sides of the case.

The final round of the competition will take place on Saturday, March 1, at 4:30 p.m., where the top two teams will face off.

The winning team will be honored during an awards dinner at the DoubleTree Hotel in downtown Wilmington.

The team will then represent Delaware at the National High School Mock Trial Championship in Phoenix, Arizona, from May 7-10.

As her final act as President Judge of Delaware Superior Court, Judge Jan R. Jurden will preside over the final round of the competition, marking a significant moment in the state’s legal community.

Members of the media are invited to attend and document the event, with a special photo and video opportunity slated for Saturday at 4 p.m. in the basement of the Justice Center, where the final two teams will be announced.

This annual competition has become a key part of Delaware’s education landscape, inspiring future lawyers, public speakers, and leaders.

Many past participants have gone on to pursue careers in law, with some even returning to the event as judges or coaches.

“Seeing is believing, yes, but doing is even better,” Renzo said. “Many of our mock trial students go on to eventually become lawyers and policy advocates, which is why we are always seeking new ways to inspire and include students from all schools across the state. It’s one of the best extracurricular activities a high school student can choose to do with their time. We’re always beyond impressed with what the students present.”