Law and Order: Mock Trial team prepares for face off against area schools

Zac Estrada Rosales
News Editor

Often lurking in the school’s field house long after the athletic teams have ended practice, Santa Barbara High’s Mock Trial team is working to perfect their arguments in preparation for scrimmages against other schools. These, in turn, are practice for the upcoming county competitions starting February 23.

Team advisor Mike Moyer said he’s impressed with this year’s team, which is largely headed by the six attorneys. “Everyone on the team has wowed us with their dedication and work ethic,” he said. “We’ve had scrimmages the last three Saturdays against non-county teams and it’s been fun to watch the team grow. We’ve been practicing since September and everyone is very excited to compete this year.” This year is Moyer’s first year advising the team. “I was a pre-law student at UCSB so I’ve always been intrigued by the law.”

Seniors Karl Sandrich and Brett Silverman and sophomore Ken Myers lead the prosecution side, while seniors Aubrey Toole, Jackie Rotman, and Cole Patterson side with the defense.

“I got into Mock Trial because it increases public speaking capabilities,” said Myers. “It allows me to think on my feet, and it is a great challenge.” Myers, much like the other attorneys, spends between five and six hours per week preparing for his role. Attorneys and witnesses are required to memorize their scripts, but must also know the case well enough to improvise during cross examination from the opposing team.

In a Mock Trial team, there is one fictional case given to all of the teams in the state. This year’s case, People v. Palmer, has the defense protecting their client, Alex Palmer, from being convicted of the murder of Hollywood producer and friend Jes Markson.

To help with the creation of questions and answers for the eight witnesses, Clark Stirling, Robert Curtis, Michael Berger, and Ken Rotman guide the attorneys and their witnesses.

While the team has been scrimmaging against schools such as Buena and Simi Valley High Schools in recent weeks, the next hurdle comes in two weeks at the first county competition at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse. Eleven teams from the county will be vying for a spot to represent the area in the State Finals in Riverside later this year. The team encourages the school to come out and support this team.

Moyer’s biggest draw to the team is the students themselves. “What hooked me more than anything was spending time with the students on the team,” he said. “They are truly an amazing group.”