Debate Team
Mission Statement/Information
Mock Trial aims to bring law to life for students through active preparation for and participation in the Vincent J. Aprusseze Mock Trial Competition of New Jersey. The goal is not to win for the sake of winning, but to learn and understand the meaning of good citizenship in a democracy vis-a-vis our system of law and justice. In this sense, all the students who participate will be winners.
Club Goals/Objectives
- To increase comprehension of the historical, ethical and philosophical basis of the American justice system.
- To help students increase basic life and leadership skills such as listening, speaking, writing, reading, and analyzing.
Activities/Events/Fundraisers:
Vincent J. Apprussese Mock Trial Competition sponsored by the New Jersey State Bar Foundation
Attorney Advisors
In order to help our members refine their legal skills, two local attorneys volunteer their time. James Tracy Esq. and Josh Carmel Esq. serve as our attorney advisors.
Club Advisors
Mr. Gavin
Attorney Advisors
- James Tracy, Esq.
- Joshua Carmel, Esq.
Helpful Links
The NJ State Bar Foundation this year will be conducting two additional competitions ancillary to the Mock Trial Competition. They are:
1. Courtroom Artist Competition (registration deadline is October 31, 2024), and
2. Student Courtroom News Reporter Competition (registration deadline is October 31, 2024).
These competitions will require attendance at the Mock Trial competition in January or February. Click on the links above for more information or come to the next meeting of the Club.
Meeting Information
Meeting Location
Room C4
Meeting Schedule
Standing meeting for attorneys with Mr. Tracy - 7-8PM every Monday evening via google meet
- September 17, (Tuesday), at 10:30 AM during Unit Lunch in Room C4.
- October 1, (Tuesday) at 10:30 AM during Unit Lunch in Room C4. Agenda: State v. Goldilocks; 24-25 workbook distribution.
- October 9, (Wednesday) at 10:30 AM during Unit Lunch in Room C4. Agenda: theory of the case and witness statements.
- October 16 at 10:30 AM during Unit lunch - witness assignments/preferences
- October 24 at 10:30 AM - theory of the case, background on products liability
- October 31 at 10:30 AM - defense team, attorneys and witnesses for O'Connell
- November 1 at 10:30 AM - plaintiff's team, attorneys and witnesses for Capella
- November 4 at 10:30 AM - plaintiff's team - Delani analysis
- November 5 at 10:30 - defense team - Stone analysis
- November 13 at 10:30 - plaintiff's team - St. Clair analysis
- November 14 at 10:30 - defense team - Popinjay analysis
Mr. Tracy will be meeting with selected witnesses and the attorneys (usually) on Wednesday evenings from 6 to 8 PM at the Wall Library. These meetings will begin on November 19. He will meet with WITNESSES only on Tuesday December 3 from 6 to 8 PM.
Regular witness preparation meetings will begin week of November 18.
The meetings will be during lunch in Room C4. Here is the schedule:
- Tuesday, November 19 Jenn Dellett
- Wednesday November 20 Michael Fury
- Thursday November 21 Cole Holthusen
- Friday November 22 Colin Jackson
- Monday November 25 Jake Karcich
- Tuesday November 26 Chloe Zecca
- Monday Decembe 2 Sean Cartinella
- Tuesday December 3 Justin Lee
- Wednesday December 4 Noah Gribko
- Thursday December 5 Avi McInnis
- Friday December 6 Kierney Grace
- Monday December 9 Reagan Urban
- Tuesday December 10 Ella Dowd
- Wednesday December 11 Michael Koplin
- Thursday December 12, Kierney Grace
- Monday December 16, Frankie DaSilva
- Tuesday December 17, Sean Cartinella
- Wednesday December 18, Frankie DaSilva
- Friday January 10, Frankie DaSilva
- Monday January 13, Robin Glackin
- Tuesday January 14, Brandon Risko
- Wednesday January 15, Jack Baldassare
- Thursday January 16 - Carmen Capella witnesses and both plaintiff and defense attorneys for this witness
- Friday January 17 - Alex Delani witnesses and associated plaintiff and defense attorneys
The following additional prep meetings are scheduled:
- January 10 - Wall Municipal Library - 9 AM to 2 PM. Witness time schedule on Google Classroom; attorneys for the entire session
- January 13 - Google Meet - Sam Stone witnesses and attorneys
- January 14 - Wall Township Library - 5-8 PM - two sessions - first: Val Popinjay witnesses. second: Pat O'Connel witnesses; all attorneys
- January 15 - Wall Township Library - 5-8 PM - two sessions - first: S. Clair witnesses; second: Carmen Capella witnesses; all attorneys
- January 16 - Google Meet - Delani at 6 PM; Stone at 7 PM.
- January 18 - Wall Municipal Court - all day, all attorneys, all witnesses; Contact Mr. Tracy with any scheduling issues
- January 20 - Wall Municipal Court - all day, all attorneys, all witnesses
- January 25 - Wall Library - all day, all attorneys, all witnesses
- January 27 - 2 PM to 8 PM final preparation at the Wall Library
- February 1 - 9 Am to 5 PM - all teams preparation at the Wall Library
- February 2 - 10 AM to 3 PM - all teams preparation at the Wall Municipal Court
- January 28 - First trial. Monmouth County Courthouse 4:30 PM. Bus leaves at 3:30 PM. Courtroom 225S. Defense team is trying their case.
- January 29 - Second trial - Monmouth County Courthouse 4:30 PM. Bus leaves at 3:30 PM. Courtroom 225S. Plaintiff team is trying their case.
- January 30 - First elimination trial - Monmouth Courthouse 4:30 PM Bus leaves at 3:45 PM Courtroom 309W. DEFENSE team is trying their case.
- February 4 - Quarterfinals (elimination round) trial - Monmouth County Courthouse 4:30 PM Bus leaves at 3:45 PM Courtroom 225 S DEFENSE team is trying their case