Is the Patriot Act Unconstitutional?

High School Students Put Law on Trial at Mock Trial Championships

Volunteer judges from throughout the state will preside over trials argued by more than 300 high school students regarding the constitutionality of the U.S. Patriot Act during the 2004 YMCA Youth and Government Mock Trial State Finals competition this weekend in Olympia.

The Mock Trial competition begins at 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 26, in the Thurston County Courthouse. Team registration begins at 4:45 p.m. Teams from 20 high schools will argue a fictional lawsuit in which three groups say their privacy rights have been violated by a local sheriff, who is using the Patriot Act to surreptitiously gather information. The lawsuit alleges the Patriot Act unconstitutionally allows the violation of their First Amendment rights. Student ‘attorneys’ and witnesses will argue both sides of the lawsuit, earning points from volunteer raters.

Retired Washington Supreme Court Justice Robert Utter will preside over Sunday’s championship round. The state Mock Trial championship team will advance to the national competition in Orlando, Florida, in May.

           The five trial rounds of the competition are scheduled for:

·         Friday, March 26, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

·         Saturday, March 27, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.; 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.; 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

·         Sunday (championship), March 28, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

           High schools with teams that have advanced to the Mock Trial Finals include:

·         In King County — Seattle Preparatory School, Franklin High School, University Preparatory School, and Shorewood High School.

·         Pierce/Thurston counties — Meadowdale High School and Henry Foss High School.

·         Clallam/Jefferson counties — Central Kitsap High School, Port Townsend High School.

·         Whatcom County — Meridian High School, Sehome High School.

·         Clark County — Fort Vancouver High School, Ridgefield High school, Hudson’s Bay High School.

·         Spokane County — The River Academy.

·         Franklin/Benton counties — Richland High School, Tri-Cities Preparatory School, Kennewick High School, Southridge High School.

The competition is part of the YMCA's Youth and Government program. Co-sponsors include the Administrative Office of the Courts, the Superior and District & Municipal Court Judges' Associations and the Washington State Bar Association.

PROGRAM CONTACTS: Judge William Downing, YMCA Mock Trial Program Chair 206- 296-9362, or Kelley Flynn, YMCA Mock Trial Coordinator, 360-357-3475.

# # # # #

Wendy K. Ferrell Judicial Communications Manager 360.705.5331 e-mail Wendy.Ferrell@courts.wa.gov

Lorrie Thompson Communications Officer 360.705.5347 Lorrie.Thompson@courts.wa.gov