Hudson School Goes Further Than Ever Before At Hudson County Mock Trial Competition

HUDSON COUNTY, NJ – High schools from across Hudson County competed this week in the annual Mock Trial competition at the historic William J. Brennan Courthouse in Jersey City. The Hudson School, a private high school in Hoboken, was able to make it further than ever before in this year's competition.

Led by captain Ames McNamara, faculty advisor Ms. Harriet Fitzpatrick, and attorney advisor Georgina Pallitto Esq., the mock trial team secured a spot in the county's final round.

How It All Works

Over the past six months, the students have been preparing for this competition. Back in September, the team’s students were broken into two teams: defense and prosecution.

The competition assigns the case, and each year it alternates between a civil and criminal trial.

This year’s case revolved around the defendant, Ellis Kirwin, who was being charged by the prosecution on federal mail fraud charges.

Each side is required to call three witnesses to the stand, while also being required to cross-examine three of the opposing counsel's witnesses.

Each team is scored by two judges based on how well their witnesses performed as well as how well the lawyers understood the law and rules of the Mock Trial.

Each team (prosecution or defense) was made up of two lawyers and three witnesses and the lawyers were required to give opening and closing statements, direct and cross-examine witnesses, as well as make appropriate objections.

The Hudson School’s team won their first competition against McNair’s prosecution team as well as their next two rounds against Secaucus High School, but ultimately lost to McNair’s defense team in the final rounds.

Each trial runs for approximately an hour and a half.

A Message from the Captain

Team captain Ames McNamara commented to say:

“Very proud of the work our teammates have done, and I am very pleased that we made it this far in the competition. I am also very thankful for our team faculty advisor, Ms. Fitzpatrick, and our team attorney Georgina Pallitto, for donating their time to helping us succeed.”