Revere High School’s Mock Trial teams participated in the district tournament this year, hoping to advance in the competition.

In Mock Trial participants receive a case at the end of September, leaving them three to four months to prepare, practice and refine for court. Students get to argue a case in a real courtroom. They have to win both sides of the case to advance in their competition. The year the club was divided into red and blue teams, a necessity due to the amount of interest from students this year.

Freshman Maddie Newingham enjoyed being a part of the team this and hopes to compete with Mock Trial all through her high school career.

"Mock Trial is a great way to meet new people and it helps if you want to have a job in the legal profession," Newingham said.

During districts the blue team faced Hoban, the state runners up, and the red team qualified to compete at regionals. Red’s defense team was ultimately defeated.

Defense attorney for the red team Olivia Detzel has been with Revere’s Mock Trial team for two years and would enjoy pursuing the career of being a criminal defense attorney.

"The team this year was really great. We were able to grasp the concepts and law associated with the case better than any previous year," Detzel said.

The case this year had to do with the motion to suppress evidence.

"After a trial, win or lose, you feel like you’re on top of the world. It also helps with communication and public speaking skills, particularly in interacting with adults and public officials," Detzel said.

Coach advisor Ellen Friery started working with the Mock Trial team ten years ago.

"I started Mock Trial because I was really interested in law," Friery said.

The district tournament took place at the Summit County Common Pleas Court. It involved twenty high schools in a real courtroom.

While in Mock Trial, students do not only get to meet new people on their team, but also from schools around the area.

"Students and schools from all over Ohio come to participate in [Mock Trial]," Friery said.

Mock Trial can help people in government, social and speaking skills. The team meets two-to-three times a week after school and anyone is welcome to join.