THE OKLAHOMA BAR JOURNAL 52 | APRIL 2025 must analyze the materials from all perspectives and filter through information, determining what is not important or relevant to reach the facts needed to present each side of the controversy before volunteer judges and scorers culled from the legal community across the state. Students also practice acting skills, creating characters for the witnesses. They think on their feet, work as a team and gain insight into the legal world. Courtroom etiquette, not to mention basic advocacy skills, is learned through participation in the program. Participants also serve as bailiffs and timekeepers. The ability to critically think through an issue from multiple perspectives is a skill that will serve the competitors throughout their futures in both their careers and personal lives. Many former mock trial participants attend law school to become not only attorneys but also judges. The 2025 Oklahoma High School Mock Trial program, now in its 44th year, involved a criminal case from a teenager’s death that may have been caused by illicit substances in a vaping pen. The defendant, a sibling of the decedent, purchased vaping pens for a party and may have permitted the decedent to imbibe illegal substances, which might have caused death. The prosecution won the day in the final round. The case was released Oct. 31. Scrimmages were permitted before January, when the qualifying rounds were held. The top 24 teams then competed in quarterfinals, with the top eight teams advancing to the semifinals during February. Throughout the competitive season, students honed their skills, impeaching witnesses with their respective statements and making and arguing objections. Students also gave opening and closing statements as well as direct Adam Humphrey of Team Legal Lions receives the Award for Best Attorney. Din Dai of Team Suits receives the Award for Best Attorney. Emily Seo of Team Suits receives the Award for Best Witness. Ester Chen of Team Legal Lions receives the Award for Best Witness.
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