Macomb County court to stage mock trial regional tourney

The Macomb County courthouse in Mount Clemens for the first time Saturday will play host to a regional round of the annual state High School Mock Trial Tournament.

A dozen teams from six schools in Macomb, two in St. Clair County and one in Wayne County will compete to earn the right to be one of the two teams to advance to the March 29 state finals in Lansing. Sponsored by the Michigan Center for Civic Education since 1982, the competition is designed to expose young people to the justice system and legal process and develop their skills and knowledge. Macomb officials took the initiative to bring the regional event to their circuit court. “It is truly a story of collaboration to benefit youth,” said Rick Troy, executive director of the Macomb County Bar Association. “Spearheaded by Warren District Court Judge Matthew Sabaugh and driven by the Macomb County Bar Foundation, the tournament quickly found a partner in Macomb County Circuit Court’s Chief Judge John Foster that helped make the use of the circuit court a reality.” Troy also credited Foundation President Lori Finazzo, tournament Director Jeff May and Co-Director Renee Tegel for their efforts. Each team is guided by their teachers and volunteer attorneys, who spend months working with the youths. “Every mock trial team has a unique story (of) how it came together with their volunteer teachers and attorneys working together to help students learn the lessons that law-related education provides,” Troy said. The competition will be held on the courthouse’s third and fourth floors The case to be on display involves a fictional murder of a high school student related to a fictional school’s prom. Regional teams include Anchor Bay (which is located in St. Clair County but draws most of its enrollment from Macomb County), De La Salle Collegiate in Warren, Lake Shore in St. Clair Shores, Lakeview in St. Clair Shores, Cousino in Warren, Lutheran North in Macomb Township and Richmond High School from Macomb County as well as St. Clair County’s Capac High School and Grosse Pointe South High School from Wayne County. Regional rounds also will be held March 8 in Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids, and March 15 in Pontiac in Oakland County. By Macomb Daily staff