Image submitted by the Jackson Center. Robert H. Jackson seated on the right.
JAMESTOWN – The Robert H. Jackson Center will host the final round of the 2019 Chautauqua County Mock Trial competitions on Saturday, March 30 at 1 p.m. This program is free and open to the public.
Chautauqua County joined the New York Statewide High School Mock Trial program in 2001 and welcomes local high school teams from both public and nonpublic schools to participate in the tournament. Each team, with the guidance and assistance of an attorney adviser and teacher coach, prepares for competition using a modified version of trial procedures that are adapted for use in a mock trial setting.
During the course of review and practice of the assigned case study, team members develop their various roles, prepare team strategy, and learn trial procedures. Teams are judged on their case presentation, which is expected to enhance critical reasoning and listening skills, and their ability to “think on their feet.”
During tournament competition, each team will argue both sides of a case and assume the roles of attorneys and witnesses. The tournament judges, usually local judges or attorneys, score the teams based on a rating sheet that includes criteria on preparation, performance, and professionalism.
The highest scoring team from the Chautauqua County Tournament finals will be awarded the Robert H. Jackson Cup. A formal presentation of the award will take place in the Cappa Theatre of the Robert H. Jackson Center immediately after the winning team is announced.
The Chautauqua County championship team will then proceed to the Regional Competition to compete against winners from other counties in New York State. The top team from each of New York State’s eight regions is then invited to participate in the State Finals.
The Robert H. Jackson Center is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that envisions a global society where the universal principles of equality, fairness and justice prevail. The Center invites and engages students of all ages, scholars, educators, national officials and international dignitaries to analyze contemporary issues of peace and justice through the lens of Justice Jackson’s body of work.
The Jackson Center is located at 305 E. Fourth Street in Jamestown.
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