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

Over 100 Law Students, 70 Undergraduates Part of Mock Criminal and Civil Trials

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 18, 2013 - 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 in Rockville, Maryland on Saturday, April 20 beginning at 9:00 a.m.

Approximately, 110 American University Washington College of Law students will participate in eight trials held simultaneously before nine judges in different courtrooms. In addition, approximately 70 American University and 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 participating include:

  • Judge DeLawrence Beard, retired Chief Judge Montgomery County, Maryland Circuit Court
  • Judge Audrey Creighton, Montgomery County, Maryland District Court
  • Judge Erik Christian, D.C. Superior Court
  • Judge Eric Johnson, Montgomery County, Maryland Circuit Court
  • Judge Michael Mason, Montgomery County, Maryland Circuit Court
  • Judge Irma Raker, retired, Court of Appeals of Maryland
  • Judge Nelson W. Rupp, Jr., Montgomery County, Maryland Circuit Court
  • Judge Emmet Sullivan, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
  • Judge Patrick Woodward, Montgomery County, Maryland Court of Special Appeals

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.