Sixteen John Adams Middle School students are being hauled into LA’s Superior Court today, Nov. 28, not to be tried, but to try their own case. And it’s going to be murder.
The team of 16 is part of a mock trial competition that pitted some 40 schools against each other. Students try a murder case in real courtrooms, before real judges, with their performance scored by working attorneys.
The JAMS team has survived two two rounds of fierce courtroom battle and will be going to the final four competition today.
JAMS is one of the relatively few public schools to participate in the competition, and may be the only one in the final four.
The team alternates between having to prosecute the case, and having to defend it. Teams provide all witnesses, court clerks and of course the attorneys. Students have been practicing for their respective roles since the summer.
Monday will see the defense team in action. The mock trial will start at approximately 5 p.m. at the LA Superior Courthouse in downtown Los Angeles.
