One of Cuyahoga Heights High School’s two Mock Trial Teams has advanced from district-level competition to participate in the regional competition. The two teams participated in the Ohio Center for Law Related Education (OCLRE) state-wide tournament at the Cleveland Justice Center on January 26. This is the high school's second year participating in this competition and the first year in which the high school had two teams competing.
Guided by social studies teacher Martin Kosovich and volunteer legal advisors, the students engaged in an original, unscripted simulated trial written by attorneys. This year's case, "State of Buckeye v. Ash Espinosa," explored the Excessive Fines Clause of the Eighth Amendment in the context of property forfeiture resulting from a crime. The defendant, Ash Espinosa, had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering, and the State sought to recover the loss by seizing Espinosa’s 1967 Chevrolet Camaro. To prepare for the competition, the students had to define the legal question and read through the case briefs, witness statements, and exhibits. Then they set to work preparing for their case from both the plaintiff and defense perspective.
“Team One showcased exceptional skills,” said Kosovich. “The team's ability to argue both sides of the case in a real courtroom, coupled with their in-depth understanding of the legal intricacies, impressed the judges and secured their advancement.”
Two students on Team One were acknowledged for their outstanding performance. Arushi Shinde was awarded Outstanding Attorney, showcasing her legal acumen, while Charles Lakus was named Outstanding Witness for his compelling testimony.
“Team Two demonstrated resilience and skill throughout the competition,” noted Kosovich. “Jackie Chen received the Outstanding Attorney award, and in both trials, AJ Kurta was recognized as the Outstanding Witness.
Team One is gearing up to compete in the regional contest on Friday, February 16 at the Cuyahoga County Courthouse. The team will face off against schools from Beaumont, Brecksville-Broadview Heights, Cleveland School of Science and Medicine John Hay, Orange, Padua Franciscan, St Edward, and St Ignatius. “The stakes are high, and Team One is preparing for another round of intense legal battles in pursuit of the prestigious state-level competition in Columbus, Ohio, said Kosovich. “The prospect of reaching the state level adds an extra layer of excitement and motivation for the team as they strive to make history for their school.”