Washington Courts: Press Release Detail

2002 Mock Trial Champion: Franklin High School

Seattle's Franklin High School took top honors this Sunday, March 24 as the 2002 champion of the statewide YMCA Youth and Government Mock Trial Program Competition.

Franklin High School also took the statewide title in 2000 and 2001, advancing to win the national championship back in 2000.  The team is now eligible to regain the national title this May.

Twenty high school teams from across the state competed for the title in a three-day, five-round competition this weekend, arguing the prosecution and defense sides of State of Washington v. Ogden Brown. Written by King County Senior Prosecuting Attorney Mike Lang, this year’s hypothetical case explored a vehicular homicide.   

Washington Supreme Court Justice Susan J. Owens presided over the championship trial, and more than 30 judges statewide volunteered their time in the three-day event.

Top ten finalists of the competition are as follows:

The competition is part of the YMCA’s Youth and Government program.  Co-sponsors include the Administrative Office of the Courts, the Young Lawyer Division of the Washington State Bar Association, and others.

PROGRAM CONTACTS: Judge William Downing, King County Superior Court 206-296-9362 or Jason Leggett, YMCA Mock Trial coordinator 360-534-0155.