Winning With Words

Mendham Township, NEW JERSEY (December 20, 2022) – A standing curriculum favorite for students in their eighth-grade year at Mendham Township Middle School (MTMS) is to participate in mock legal trials. Every year, with the exception of the COVID-pandemic years, students are assigned to either a civil case (Personal Injury) or a criminal case (Second Degree Manslaughter and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor).

This is one assignment where students must step away from the role of passively receiving instruction and instead must research, digest, rationalize, and conclude what they believe to be a fair interpretation of the facts available for each case. After being assigned to a case, each student will participate in the mock trial as either a representative of the prosecution/plaintiff team, a representative of the defense team, an officer of the court, or a witness/expert. They must exercise their critical thinking skills, formulate an opinion, craft a strategy, and execute and deliver their arguments in a persuasive manner. The jury is composed of their peers, i.e., fellow eighth-grade students. Students who participate directly in the criminal case (prosecution team, defense team, witnesses and experts) serve on the civil case juries, and vice versa.

Sara Cyr-Alai, MTMS Language Arts Teacher - Grade 8, spearheads the mock trial program at MTMS. During middle school years, in addition to learning sciences and arts, students are also learning many “soft” skills that are necessary to become a successful contributing member of society. The mock trials are a perfect venue for students to apply and weave together many skill sets in order to present a coherent, persuasive, and winning argument.

Ms. Cyr-Alai coordinates participation by members of the Mendham Township community who work in the legal profession. In the weeks that run-up to the actual trials, these subject matter experts are invited to the classrooms to share their insights, experiences, and recommendations with students as these students prepare their oral arguments. The experts can also demonstrate and practice with the students on how to question and cross-examine potential witnesses. The mock trials are conducted in real time, and the students know they must be ready to listen to the arguments of the opposing team and then be able to advance their party’s interests. During the preparatory classes in advance of the mock trials, having access to the counsel of adults who work in the legal profession adds a depth and increased level of engagement for the students as they navigate through this novel learning process.

It should be noted that while it is the students who are presenting, the mock trials are conducted in a structured and supportive environment. Students are practicing their public speaking skills and it is clear that the outcome will be based on the merits of the arguments presented. On the day of the trials there is an unmistakable energy in the classroom as the participants have the opportunity to hear the different arguments for the first time. However, it all comes down to jury deliberation and everyone waits for the verdict on their particular case! “I am always impressed by the commitment expressed by these students during the entire process,” said Ms. Cyr-Alai. “They are truly inspired to create and present well-grounded, rational, and persuasive arguments.” Ms. Cyr-Alai also thanked her colleagues: Ms. Christine Yawger and Ms. Carol Hueston, MTMS 7th/8th Grade Language Arts Teachers, Ms. Melanie Smith, MTMS Media Specialist, for her support with gathering the facts about the cases for the students, Ms. Donna Casagrande, MTMS Technology Teacher, for her support with the audio and virtual access during the mock trials. Mr. Nicholas Angrisani, Assistant Principal of MTMS, echoes these sentiments, “I am so impressed with Ms. Cyr-Alai, the MTMS faculty members, and all the students who participate in this program. These students are learning and applying skills now that will serve them well as they enter high school and as they pursue their academic and professional goals.”