Atlantic/Cape May Vicinage Announces Mock Trial Winners

Mainland Regional High School, competing in the finals against Holy Spirit High School, won this year’s Atlantic County Mock Trial Competition on Feb. 3. They will progress to the regional competition with the Middle Township High School Mock Trial Team, winners of the Cape May County Mock Trial Competition.
Participating Atlantic County schools were Absegami High School, Egg Harbor Township High School, Hammonton High School, St. Joseph’s High School, Oakcrest High School, Cedar Creek High School and Atlantic County Institute of Technology. In Cape May County, Cape May County Technical High School, Wildwood Catholic High School, and Lower Cape May Regional High School participated.
Participating judges included Superior Court Judges Michael A. Donio, Bernard E. Delury Jr., Mark H. Sandson, James P. Savio, Joseph E. Kane, Jeffery D. Light, Michael J. Blee, Donna M. Taylor, John Porto, John R. Rauh, and retired Judge Steven P. Perskie. Municipal Court Presiding Judge Louis J. Belasco and Municipal Judge H. Robert Switzer also participated.
The competitions were held at the Atlantic County Criminal Courts Complex in Mays Landing, the Atlantic County Civil Courts Building in Atlantic City, and the Cape May County Courthouse.
“Each year the participating schools demonstrate outstanding dedication, professionalism and extensive preparedness by the young men and women,” Assignment Judge Julio L. Mendez said. “Congratulations to the participants and their families and schools.”
The county mock trial competitions are sponsored by local county bar associations. County winners are eligible to compete in the Vincent J. Apruzzese High School Mock Trial Competition, which is sponsored by the New Jersey State Bar Foundation.
The regional playoffs are scheduled for Feb. 26, followed by semifinals March 19 and finals March 24 at the New Jersey Law Center in New Brunswick. The state winner will progress to the national competition.