UDSL recently took two teams to the Regional Mock Trial Competition in Covington, KY where 28 teams from Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan, and West Virginia law schools participated for the chance to go on to the national competition. 

This year’s case was a criminal burglary case involving an elderly woman who was burglarized in her home, but could not identify the burglar because of her poor eyesight. Each team was assigned to try both the prosecution and defense in different rounds; they were assigned a side just before each round. 

“I have learned evidence and criminal procedure in a way that I never before knew them,” said 3L Jennifer Williams of her experience on UDSL’s team. “I have also learned how to interact with opposing counsel and judges, and I have refined my presentation skills while working with my team and practicing.”

In the case, a single fingerprint was found on a candy package in the victim's home, which matched the defendant, but the defendant had recently been fired from the grocery store where the package was bought, where he occasionally stocked shelves.  The defendant also had sold a necklace that was stolen from the home, which he claimed he won in a game of pool.

The prosecution teams had a challenge as the defense was found the winner in over 75% of the trials. “Whether it was because most of the judges scoring the competition were criminal defense lawyers or because the problem lent itself to more favorable defense presentations, no one can say,” said UDSL Mock Trial Coach Len Cohen. 

Both UDSL teams finished the tournament with winning records. The team made up of 3Ls Stephanie Hayden and Vinny Nain won two rounds and lost one, with one of their wins coming as the prosecution. They were only points away from making the final eight.

The other team, made up of 3Ls Jennifer Williams and Ryan Frasher, went all the way to the finals, where they drew the prosecution side of the case.  They ended up being one vote from going to the national competition. 

But missing the chance to go on to nationals by such a small margin didn’t really bother Williams. “I think it would have been an honor and a fun experience, but going to one more round of competition would not prepare me to be a courtroom attorney any more,” she said.

“UDSL should be justifiably proud of its accomplishments in this year’s regional competition, but we should be prouder of the professionalism, dedication, and graciousness displayed by all four of our competitors,” Cohen said. “Their actions brought great credit to UDSL.” 

Next year’s Regional Mock Trial Competition is slated to be held at UDSL.