Law Dawgs: Baker High Mock Trial team heading to state
By Joe Hathaway on Thursday, February 29th, 2024 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
BAKER CITY — Standing in a courtroom and presenting a case in front of a judge sounds daunting, but, for some local students, it is an activity that they prepare and practice for months.
The Baker High Mock Trial team recently won the regional competition in La Grande to punch its ticket to the state mock trial championships being held at the Hatfield Federal Courthouse in Portland from March 16-17.
Mock trial allows students to learn the law and how the legal system functions. Guided by teachers and volunteer legal advisors, students participate in an unscripted, simulated trial based on a case written by attorneys. High school students argue both sides of the case in courtrooms across the state.
“All cases are based on real legal cases. The students learn the case, the witness statements, and then we’ll have a series of lawyers, asking questions for our side and then the opposing side,” said Kris Pepera, Baker’s head coach. “It’s just a mini court case.”
Pepera, who also teaches social studies and U.S. history at Baker High, says each team has a prosecution side and a defense side. During competition, they switch sides after a round, while being judged by law professionals such as lawyers and judges.
“They don’t necessarily judge the case itself,” said Pepera. “The judges will certainly say which side had a stronger argument, but they’re scoring on this rubric that’s really all about public speaking, presentation, mannerisms, eye contact, dress, all of that.”
Just a real law case, there’s a ton of work that goes into preparing. Students pour over pages after page of court documents, then prepare their presentations and arguments.
“It’s fun, but it can get really nerve-wracking,” said Pepera. “What I thought was neat was Judge Matt Shirtcliff (from Baker County) was talking to students about “The Well”, the area of the jury box, the judge and witness chair. He told La Grande and our students how much pressure being up there presenting is, being objected to and thinking on your feet. So yeah, it’s fun, but there’s definitely pressure.”
Pepera says this will be Baker’s fifth trip to the state finals in his nine years as coach.
“It’s a great experience for the kids, going up against hundreds of kids across the state,” said Pepera. “Some of these kids haven’t been to Portland before, so bringing them from Eastern Oregon to the massive federal courthouse there, they get a kick out of it.”
Pepera says he appreciates the community’s support for the team as well.
“From parents driving the kids, to people from our school volunteering to go judge. Also I appreciate the help and advice from Judge Powers from La Grande and Judge Shirtcliffe from Baker,” said Pepera. “Just a lot of people are willing to help out and I think that’s really neat.“
