Mayfield legal eagles excel at mock trial competition
A focused team of Mayfield students have been arguing over this statement for weeks:
“You deserve to die...Watch your back, I’m coming for you.”
Is this a criminal threat? Or constitutionally protected speech?
Is this a criminal threat? Or constitutionally protected speech?
This was a prime question at the center of the 2018-19 California Mock Trial Competition, which draws more than 2,500 high school and middle school students to become prosecution and defense attorneys, witnesses, bailiffs and clerks in a fictional criminal case designed to teach them about the judicial system.
Nearly 30 Mayfield students, from freshmen to seniors, were intrigued by the program, and decided to immerse themselves in the workings of the legal system to compete in a mock trial against other schools at the Stanley Mosk Superior Courthouse in downtown Los Angeles.
The strong interest allowed us to field two teams, whose members said they found challenge and confidence preparing themselves for the competition sponsored by the Constitutional Rights Foundation.
“This whole experience has been so enlightening to me,” said Maddie Brooks ‘20. “To learn about the legal system in this very real way and to understand the important roles attorneys play has been invaluable.”
The criminal case involved a relevant topic for teenagers—cyberbullying gone very bad and ending with extreme text messages, a fake Instagram account with hidden identities and a false report to police about a hostage situation at the home of a targeted friend.
Our Mayfield team was blessed with the expert coaching of attorneys Dana Treister, husband of Assistant Head of School Toi Treister ’82, and Timothy Burke, father of Rory Burke ‘19. In two months they essentially taught the fundamentals of law school and the criminal court system to our fledgling legal team.
“It’s a voluminous amount of information and a lot to learn,” Mr. Treister said. “Our team had a great grasp of it all. They handled themselves like experts with poise under pressure and could handle all the curveballs of the competition.”
The teams were both on their A-game for the two-round competition. A narrow margin of less than 1% prevented them from advancing further.
“We admirably accomplished our goals by representing Mayfield well and being the best teams we could be on competition night,” Mr. Treister said.
In their role-playing assignments, our team attorneys wrote opening statements and closing arguments and learned how to calmly conduct cross examinations. Witnesses memorized reams of detailed information and had to respond with both dramatic flair and knowledge of the case at hand.
“We learned such valuable skills---public speaking, thinking on our feet, understanding the legal system,” said Katy Tupy ’19, who role played an defense attorney.
They also learned the critical roles that attorneys play.
“It’s all how you present a case and shape and frame it,” Katy said. “My biggest take-away is learning how the pieces fit together in a case. It’s so interesting to see the big picture of the justice system like this.”
And given the case at hand, which examined the role of social media and cyberbullying in the lives of teens, the girls learned another important lesson:
“Be careful what you post,” one student said.
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Established in 1931, Mayfield Senior School in Pasadena, CA is a Catholic, independent, college preparatory school for young women grades 9-12. Noted for its rigorous academic program, which includes 28 Advanced Placement and Honors courses, Mayfield’s curriculum is underscored by a philosophy of educating the “whole child,” which also encourages commitment to and excellence in the arts, athletics, community service and spiritual growth. The nurturing environment at Mayfield Senior School allows each student to flourish in an atmosphere of personal attention.
