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.
As a result of the weather the revised dates for this year's tournament at the Monmouth County Courthouse are:
February 3 and February 4, 2026 - preliminary rounds (guaranteed) - one defense and one prosecution
February 9, 2026 - knockout round (elite 8)
February 10, 2026 - semi-finals
February 11, 2026 - County final
Meeting Information
Meeting Location
Room C4 (unless otherwise noted)
Meeting Schedule (All meetings will be posted on Google Classroom)
Standing meeting for attorneys with Mr. Tracy - 7-8 PM every Monday evening via google meet.
September 19, 2025 - Organizational meeting - Room C4 - 10:30 AM (Unit Lunch) - new workbooks will be available.
October 3, 2025 - Entire team - Room C4 - 10:30 AM (Unit Lunch) - workbook review.
October 8, 2025 - prospective attorneys only- Room C4 - 10:30 AM (Unit Lunch)
October 10, 2025 - Entire team - - Room C4 - 10:30 AM (Unit Lunch) - theory of the case
October 15, 2025 - new attorneys only - Room C4 - 10:30 AM (Unit Lunch) - basics of trial technique
October 22, 2025 - Entire team - Room C4 - 10:30 AM (Unit Lunch) - Meeting with Mr. Tracy
November 11, 2025 - Entire team -- Room C4 - 10:30 AM (Unit Lunch) - theory of the case, witness strengths and weaknesses
November 12, 2025 - Entire team - Room C4 - 10:30 AM (Unit Lunch) - witness assignments
November 21, 2025 - Defense team and Ransom - Room C4 - 10:30 AM (Unit Lunch)
November 24, 2025 - defense team and Ransom - Room C4 - 10:30 AM (Unit Lunch) -
December 1, 2025 - entire team - North Gym - photo
December 2, 2025 - defense team and Ransom - - Room C4 - 10:30 AM (Unit Lunch) -
December 4, 2025 - Prosecution team and Prestige - Room C4 - 10:30 AM (Unit Lunch) -
December 5, 2025 - Prosecution team and Prestige - Room C4 - 10:30 AM (Unit Lunch) -
December 8, 2025 - Defense team and Dupont - Room C4 - 10:30 AM (Unit Lunch) -
December 9, 2025 - Defense team and Dupont - Room C4 - 10:30 AM (Unit Lunch) -
December 11, 2025 - Prosecution and Montgomery - Room C4 - 10:30 AM (Unit Lunch) -
December 12, 2025 - Prosecution team and Montgomery- Room C4 - 10:30 AM (Unit Lunch) -
December 15, 2025 Defense team and Hart - Room C4 - 10:30 AM (Unit Lunch) -
December 16, 2025 - Defense team and Charms - Room C4 - 10:30 AM (Unit Lunch) -
December 18, 2025 - All attorneys - Room C4 - 10:30 AM (Unit Lunch) - refine theory - opening and closing statements
December 19, 2025 - All attorneys - Room C4 - 10:30 AM (Unit Lunch) - direct exams
December 20, 2025 - All attorneys - Wall Public Library 9 AM to Noon
December 27, 2025 - Wall Public Library - 9 AM to noon
January 3, 2026 - Wall Public Library - 9 AM to noon
January 6, 2026 - Entire team - Room C4 - 10:30 AM (Unit Lunch)
January 7, 2026 - Prosecution and defense attorneys and Dakota Armstrong witness prep -Room C4 - 10:30 AM (Unit Lunch)
January 8, 2026 - Assigned attorneys and Drew Prestige witness prep -Room C4 - 10:30 AM (Unit Lunch)
January 8, 2026 - Prosecution team - Google Meet - 7 PM - with Mr. Carmel
January 9, 2026 - Assigned attorneys and Riley Montgomery witness prep -Room C4 - 10:30 AM (Unit Lunch)
January 10, 2026 - Entire team - Wall Public Library 9 AM to noon
January 12, 2026 - Assigned attorneys and Devon Ransom witness prep -Room C4 - 10:30 AM (Unit Lunch)
January 13, 2026 - Assigned attorneys and Georgie Hart witness prep -Room C4 - 10:30 AM (Unit Lunch)
January 14, 2026 - Assigned attorney for direct prep for Hart - Room C4 - 10:30 AM (Unit Lunch)
January 14, 2026 - Assigned attorney for plaintiff for opening statement development - google meet 7 PM
January 15, 2026 - Prosecution attorneys with Mr. Carmel - google meet - 7 PM
January 15, 2026 - Hart witness prep - Room C4 - 10:30 A< (Unit Lunch)
January 16, 2026 - DuPont practice with Prosecution and defense attorneys - 10:30 AM (Unit Lunch - Room C4
January 17, 2026 - Team workshop - Wall Public Library
January 20, 2026 - G. Hart witness preparation - Google Meet - 7:30 PM
January 21, 2026 - Prosecution team - google meet - 7 PM
January 22, 2026 - Prosecution team - google meet - 7 PM
January 24, 2026 - Team practice - Wall Public Library
January 28, 2025 - Prosecution practice - Dakota Armstrong and prosecution attorney - Room C4 - 10:30 AM
January 29, 2025 - Prosecution practice - Dakota Armstrong and prosecution attorney - Room C4 - 10:30 AM
January 31, 2025 - Team practice - Wall Public Library - 9AM
February 1, 2026 - Trial simulation - Wall Municipal Court - 9AM
February 2, 2026 - Armstrong with direct and cross attorney - room C4 - 10:30 AM
February 3, 2026 - Armstrong with direct and cross attorney room C4 - 10:30 AM
February 7, 2026 - workshop on adjustments and team practice - Wall Public Library - 1 M to 5 PM.
February 8, 2026 - team practice - Wall Municipal Building - 9 AM to 3 PM
March 12, 2026 - club meeting - Room C4 - Unit lunch - 10:30 AM
June 3, 2026 - Field Trip to Monmouth County Law Day - Monmouth County Courthouse