(November 19, 2001) -- Clark Magnet High School won round two against Paraclete High in the mock trial competition at the Los Angeles County Courthouse Nov. 8.  However, Clark was unable to move on to the third round.

The prosecution team first went up against Valencia High School in round one Nov. 1. Points totaled 223, but Clark was unable to beat the opposing team.  Witnesses received three and four points on a five-point scale.

Clark’s defense team then argued against Paraclete High (located in Lancaster). The witness points ranged from three to five points, and the team emerged with a 51.36 percent of the total points. Presiding Judge Patricia Spear commented that all the students showed poise that some real lawyers do not have.

Senior Philip Sriployrung, who played the defendant Syd Price, commented, “I learned a lot about trials and I wish that we were able to move to the third round.”

Teams are judged in the competition on their performance regardless of the judge’s verdict. Attorneys act as judges and score the credibility of witnesses. Lawyers are judged on their performance in opening and closing statements as well as the direct and cross-examinations.

Sponsored by the Constitutional Rights Foundation (CRF), the mock trial competition consists of two rounds with the defense and prosecution. The school must win both rounds to move on to a third round.

Teacher /coach Chris Davis said the program “helps students learn to work effectively in a team setting and how to think on their feet.”

Schools simulate a criminal trial based on fictional materials provided by the CRF. This year’s trial was based on the crime of arson. Arguments focused on issues surrounding the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments.

Team member Mitchell Rosen said, “It was an enjoyable experience and I learned a lot through our coaches.”

The team practiced 3-5 p.m. two days a week for four weeks prior to the competition. Members discussed the laws of search and seizure, racial profiling and other cases relating to the trial. They also studied witness statements, arguments and stipulations similar to those of a real trial.

Along with Davis as advisor were English teacher Melanie Martin and Michael O’Gara as the attorney coach.

Martin complimented the team, saying that the students “rose to the occasion, were well-prepared and professional and did really well.”