Mock Trial Series Underway; Four Area High Schools Test Skills

COURT HOUSE – The 2019-20 Vincent J. Apruzzese High School Mock Trial Competition sponsored by the Cape May County Bar Association, the New Jersey State Bar Foundation, and the New Jersey State Bar Association is underway.
According to a release, students from four area high schools; Middle Township, Lower Township, Cape May Tech, and Wildwood Catholic are participating in this year’s competition as attorneys, witnesses, and jurors.
The competition began Jan. 7, and is set to conclude Jan. 23 when the Cape May County champion will be crowned. The winning school from each of their respective counties will then be eligible to compete in the regional competitions the following month.
Thereafter, the winners of the regional round will compete in the semi-finals and, if victorious, for the statewide championship at the to be held at the New Jersey Law Center in New Brunswick in March.
The goal of the competition is to provide students with a better understanding of the law, courtroom procedures, and the justice system. As a result of the preparation and performance associated with the competition, students develop leadership, public speaking, research and writing skills.
Consistent with the goal and spirit of the competition, the Cape May County Bar Association incorporated a civics component to the opening night of this year’s competition.
On opening night, Jan. 7, State Sen. Mike Testa Jr. (R-1st), Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland, and Cape May County Undersheriff Frank Sippel visited the competition and conducted a town hall-style presentation before the students, coaches and parents about the importance of law in society and using the practice of law as a means to improve their communities.