East Dallas Times

Coach Mike Buchanan, Woodrow faculty sponsor Catherine Pate, Kimberly Tepera, Emily Ziegler, Ricky Nichols, Kristen Arnold, Ben Tompkins, Harvey Tovar, Jake Schutze, Clark Wamre, Cal Little, Austin Timms, Brian Tepera, and Coach Joe Smith. Photo by Kathy Arnold. — Courtesy Photo

Community Contribution

Woodrow’s mock trial team made the cut Jan. 29 as one of eight Dallas ISD teams out of 20 to advance to round four of district competitions.

The team welcomes support Feb. 1, at 6 p.m., at the George Allen Sr. Courthouse, 600 Commerce St. in downtown Dallas.

UPDATE: Tomorrow’s forecast of nasty weather led organizers to postpone the mock trial competitions.

The new schedule:

• Thursday, Feb. 3 — Quarter Finals, top eight teams)
• Tuesday, Feb. 8 – Semifinals, top 4 teams
• Saturday, Feb. 12 – Finals, 4 teams compete for top three places and wildcard spot

Times for the weekday matches will remain the same — start time about 6 p.m.

The  Woodrow mock trial team is comprised of 10 members and six alternates, who act as prosecuting attorneys, defense attorneys, witnesses, and timekeepers. In October, students are given the rules of the competition and a set of facts in the form of six witness statements. These statements, which always have humorous edge to them, leave room for ambiguity so that the two sides of a case are closely balanced.

From these materials, the students conduct a trial before a judge that lasts slightly less than two hours. The trial has all usual components: opening and closing statements, and direct and cross-examination of witnesses. Each team will compete at least once on each side — prosecution or defense — during the tournament.

This competition is an opportunity for any student who wishes to improve his or her ability to analyze facts and present a compelling argument, improve public speaking skills and the ability to think on one’s feet, and to improve his or her overall self-confidence.

On a typical team, only three of the students compete as lawyers. Six of the other students compete as witnesses and in effect play a role — much like a drama production except that what the student says is unscripted, and that often makes things interesting, and gives the students more creative room.

Courtroom Etiquette:

1. To enter the courtroom, parents, siblings, relatives, and friends must obtain a letter nametag corresponding to the one assigned to the team. The nametags are available at the courthouse.
2. Teams are judged anonymously to ensure fairness. No team member or spectator can wear anything identifying school allegiance as Woodrow.
3. No spectator for a team not competing against Woodrow may watch the Wildcats’ rounds. In other words: No spying. The same goes for Woodrow.
4. Once a round begins, no communication may take place with the team. That is why the coaches sit on the back row and look down throughout the rounds. Any parent who signals to a child — even something innocent like a gesture to say “wipe your nose” — will be deemed to be “illegally coaching” and it could cost the team penalty points.

Coaches are Joe Smith and Mike Buchanan, neighborhood attorneys who volunteer their time as mock trial coaches. The team is sponsored by AP/IB teacher Catherine Pate, a 1998 alumna of Woodrow.

Thanks to Woodrow über-alumni Kyle Rains for providing the information and photo.