Watauga High

students go to court
By Melanie Davis
melanie@mountaintimes.com

The Watauga High School Mock Trial Club is gearing up for their second round in the courtroom.

The club, consisting of 17 sophomores, juniors and seniors, prepares throughout the school year for the mock trial.

A simulated case, including all statements and documents, is presented to the students by the Watauga County Bar Association, a club sponsor at the beginning of the school year.

Under the supervision of faculty advisor Randy Combs, the club spends the first semester studying laws related to the case at hand and selecting students to serve as prosecutors, defense attorneys, witnesses and defendants. Randy Combs works in the social studies department of WHS.

During the second semester, local attorneys volunteer their time to work with the students directly to help prepare them for the courtroom. This year, Scott Casey of Casey and Casey Law Offices and Ham Wilson worked with the defense team. Shaun Lundy of Vetro and Lundy P.C. worked with the prosecuting team of the pseudo murder trial.

Support also comes from assistant principal Tamara Stamey, who organizes the jurors who participate in the trial. The jurors are faculty members, school board members and school-related employees. The jurors have no previous information on the case and pass a judgment based the students’ presentation of the evidence.

Stamey said the club is now in its third year with marked interest and success. Two mock trials have taken place in the three years, and Stamey hopes that will increase. The eventual goals for the club include mock trials in both the fall and spring, in addition to participation in the Moot Court statewide competition for high school students.

The club began when Wilson approached Stamey with the proposal on behalf of the Watauga County Bar Association. Stamey is very pleased with the support and expertise offered by the local attorneys.

“This club offers some students their first real understanding of the justice system. They learn a great deal about the potential careers in law, as well as a great civics lesson. Understanding the legal system is a part of good citizenship,” Stamey said. “It teaches the students to examine both sides of a case.”

Another aspect of the Mock Trial Club is the potential eligibility for an annual scholarship sponsored by the Watauga County Bar Association.

District court judge Phillip Ginn volunteers his time to hear the case. Ginn also volunteered to serve as the judge for the first trial the club held.

“We appreciate Mr. Ginn's time,” Stamey said. “He worked so well with the students the first time, taking the learning experience very seriously and making sure the students stick to courtroom protocol.”

Watauga County Sheriff's Officer Pat Baker also volunteers to serve as bailiff for the trial. Baker is also a return volunteer, who assisted with the first event.

The trial will take place on Tuesday, April 8, at 7 p.m. in the large courtroom of the Watauga County Courthouse. The presentation is free and open to the public.