Regis Catholic School state-runners up in Iowa Middle School Mock Trial Tournament

Students on the mock trial team at Regis Catholic School in Cedar Rapids were named state runners-up after competing in the 2022 Iowa Middle School Mock Trial Tournament.

Mock trial is designed to introduce students to the legal system by providing a challenging, academic competition.

Each fall, middle school students are given a legal case to study. The teams work to prepare and present both sides of the case before a panel of volunteer lawyers and judges. Each team is judged on their mock trial competition, sportsmanship, civility, courtroom decorum, and professionalism.

The mock trial championship was televised statewide Dec. 6, by Mediacom channel MC22. Replays will continue throughout the month and will be available on Mediacom OnDemand, according to a news release from Mediacom.

The state champion team was Johnston Middle School in Johnston and state semifinalists was Harlan Middle School in Harlan and Northview Middle School in Ankeny.

Mock trial programs offer students an opportunity for personal growth and achievement, emphasizing the importance of research, presentation and teamwork.

In addition to teaching students about contemporary public issues and the legal system, the program encourage teachers and students to develop learning partnerships with professionals from the community.

Last year, more than 2,000 students from across Iowa participated. The tournament includes students from social studies courses, talented and gifted programs, at-risk classes and extracurricular mock trial clubs.

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