w w w.BERKSBAR.org Mock Trial Continued from page 17 The problem includes witness statements containing the case facts and exhibits the students can choose to use to aid them in presenting their case. There are more facts and exhibits in the problem than the teams can present during the time limited trials. Each team is limited to five minutes for openings and closings and 30 minutes for each side to conduct direct examination of their three witnesses and cross examination of the opposing team's three witnesses. Teams are scored by attorneys on a scale of 1-10 on how well they do in the various scoring categories. They can have points deducted if they go over their time limits. Pennsylvania is broken into ten Regions for Mock Trial competition. Each Region sends one team to the State Championship at the end of March, and some of the larger Regions send two teams to the State Competition for a total of 14 teams competing to see which one team will represent Pennsylvania at the National Mock Trial Championship in May. Berks County is part of Region 5 along with Lehigh and Northampton Counties. Our three counties comprise District 1 while Luzerne and Schuylkill Counties comprise District 2. The winner from District 1 plays the winner from District 2 to see which team from Region 5 will go to the state competition. Speaking of the students, here are some of the comments they made about their experience with Mock Trial: * "Mock Trial taught me about the legal system and added law as a possible career path." * "Mock Trial helped me with my public speaking, general preparation and improvisation." * "Mock Trial helped me be more confident and able to think on my feet." * "Mock Trial helped me overcome my shyness." * "Mock Trial helped me develop the ability to think critically on my feet as a witness. Getting crossed is rough, but I learned to answer questions that I didn't have time to be prepared for. These are tools I can use later in the workplace." * "Mock Trial has given me a community I enjoy spending time with." * "Mock Trial helped me set and achieve long-term goals." Exeter School District Mock Trial Team 18 | Berks Barrister * "I've learned to keep my composure under pressure, memorize large amounts of information, construct arguments, and actively listen (during objections)." * "I'll miss Mock Trial next year - I need it like a pulse in my veins."http://www.berksbar.org