Juniors Karim Hammami and Michelle Arias noticed something was missing at White Plains High School: there was no club for students interested in law or the courtroom. So, they decided to create their own. The new Mock Trial Club will give students the chance to take on courtroom roles, learn about the judicial process and argue cases. Their first interest meeting is planned for next week in Mr. Rickles’s room. 

Hammami says the idea came from his experience in Youth and Government with the YMCA, where was unable to participate in the judicial section. “I wanted to learn more about the judicial process and give other people the chance to experience it, too.”

For anyone who has never done mock trial, it works like this: students are assigned a case and pick a side, either defense or prosecution. They prepare opening statements, questions and arguments. Then they present their case to a jury responsible for determining which team made a more convincing argument. 

The founders’ goal is simple. They want to get students interested and excited about law. Down the road, they hope to compete against other schools, and maybe even on a national level. 

With the first meeting coming up, the new club is a great opportunity for students to explore law and develop courtroom skills.