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Washington Courts: Press Release Detail

High School Students to Compete in State Mock Trial Championships

March 26, 2003

This weekend, more than 300 high school students will gather at the Thurston County Courthouse in Olympia to compete in the 2003 YMCA Youth and Government Mock Trial State Finals competition.

Beginning Friday evening, March 28th, twenty high school teams will argue a fictional case regarding the prosecution of an alleged assault occurring on the field during a youth soccer game before judges and attorneys. More than thirty judges from across Washington State have volunteered for the event, with Supreme Court Justice Susan J. Owens presiding over the final championship round, scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on Sunday morning.

The following high school teams have qualified for finals based on their placing at district competitions held statewide in March:

· Camas

· Central Kitsap

· Fort Vancouver (three teams)

· Franklin (two teams)

· Hudson’s Bay

· Kennewick

· Lynden

· Meadowdale (two teams)

· Meridian

· Port Townsend

· Richland

· Ridgefield

· Seattle Prep

· South Ridge

· Tri-Cities Prep

· University Prep

The winner of the championship round will represent Washington State at the National High School Mock Trial Championships in New Orleans on May 8-10th.

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 Amanda Haworth, YMCA Mock Trial Coordinator, (360) 534-0155.

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Washington Courts Media Contacts:

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