Oakland County Bar Foundation Supports Mock Trial

Excitement is building for the Michigan High School Mock Trial Tournament (MHSMTT) which will take place because of the continued support of the Oakland County Bar Foundation (OCBF).

Funding was once again provided by OCBF to the Michigan Center for Civic Education for the 2016-2017 Tournament. Students from across the state compete in real courtrooms taking on the role of attorneys and witnesses in front of real judges and lawyers during the competition.

OCBF President Kaveh Kashef said, “The Oakland County Bar Foundation is pleased to provide continued support of the program for the 14th consecutive year. Many of our attorneys who take part in the tournament feel it is an invaluable experience. We wish the Center continued success with the Michigan High School Mock Trial Tournament.”

Linda Start, Executive Director of the Michigan Center for Civic Education (MCCE), expressed her appreciation for the Foundation’s support. “The MHSMTT would not exist without the support and involvement ofl awyers from across Michigan,” said Start. “Lawyers tell us that they get a huge return on their investment of time. They often remark how it gives them a great opportunity to interface with young people in the community and how impressed they are with the student participants.”

Regional Tournaments are held across the state beginning in Kent County on February 25 followed by a competition in Macomb County on March 4. The Oakland County Regional Tournament in Pontiac will take place on March 11. The Oakland competition continues to be the largest, with over 20 teams scheduled to compete at the Oakland County Circuit Courthouse. The regionals will end in Washtenaw County on March 18.

The top ten teams from across the state will advance to the State Finals in Lansing on March 25. The winning Michigan team is eligible to compete in the National Mock Trial Championship scheduled for May 11-13 in Hartford, Connecticut.

The Michigan Center for Civic Education (MCCE) has conducted the Michigan High School Mock Trial Tournament since the early 1980s. The program is designed to re-enact what takes place ina trial court. Funding for the program is also provided by the State Bar of Michigan and the Litigation Section of the State Bar of Michigan. MCCE is a non-partisan 501(C) 3 corporation, established in 1982 as Michigan’s premier organization solely dedicated to preparing an active and informed citizenry through law-related and civic education.

The Oakland County Bar Foundation (OCBF) is a local 501 (C)3 that supports legal aid and legal education in the area. Since 2002, the Foundation has granted over 1.7 million dollars to worthy non-profits in the county. To learn more about the OCBF, visit their website at www.ocba.org.

Any questions about Michigan High School Mock Trial Tournament may be directed to MCCE Director Linda Start (517) 367-6422. She can also be reached by email at mocktrial@miciviced.org.

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