Trial Advocacy Students to Participate in Final Trials at Montgomery County Judicial Center

Over 95 Law Students, 65 Undergraduates Part of Mock Criminal and Civil Trials

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 18, 2012 - The Stephen S. Weinstein Trial Advocacy Program at American University Washington College of Law will hold their final trials at the Montgomery County Judicial Center Saturday, April 21, 2012 beginning at 9:00 a.m.

Approximately, 95 American University Washington College of Law students will participate in seven trials held simultaneously before seven judges in different courtrooms. In addition, approximately 65 Montgomery County College students will be present to serve as jurors. The student jurors will be instructed by the judges as to the applicable law at the conclusion of the trials, will deliberate, and reach a verdict. The jurors will state the verdict in open court and provide feedback to the law students.

The cases to be tried during final trials are a civil case, Dixon v. Providential Life Insurance Co., and a criminal case, State v. Sanchez.

Judges presiding include:

  • Judge DeLawrence Beard, retired Chief Judge Montgomery County, Maryland Circuit Court
  • Judge Audrey Creighton, Montgomery County, Maryland District Court
  • Judge Michael Mason, Montgomery County, Maryland Circuit Court
  • Judge Steven Salant, Montgomery County, Maryland Circuit Court
  • Judge Nelson W. Rupp, Jr., Montgomery County, Maryland Circuit Court
  • Judge Emmet Sullivan, US District Court for the District of Columbia
  • Judge Patrick Woodward, Montgomery County, Maryland Court of Special Appeals

“The final trials for the Trial Advocacy course held at the Montgomery County Courthouse give students a no-nonsense, real life experience,” said Brenda Gonzalez, 3L and president of American University Washington College of Law’s Mock Trial Honor Society. “Students present their cases to citizen jurors and practicing judges. It is great to walk out of the final trial knowing that you have mastered advocacy skills that will translate directly to legal practice.”

For more information about the final trials, please visit the Trial Advocacy Program website.

Media interested in attending the event should contact Megan Smith, 202-274-4276.

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Stephen S. Weinstein Trial Advocacy Program

The law school’s Trial Advocacy Program provides experiential learning opportunities for students to gain proficiency in trial litigation skills. The program simulates true legal advocacy through mock trials. In trial advocacy courses, trial and appellate level judges preside in the law school’s high-tech courtroom and offer students unique insight and experience into the practice of law. The judges work in tandem with successful and prestigious litigators, who closely work with students to hone their litigation skills. The Trial Advocacy Program also employs a professional actor, Paul Morella, to provide students with practical instruction on presentation techniques and a homicide detective, William Xanten, to provide insight on scene investigation and law enforcement testimony. For more information, visit wcl.american.edu.