Inaugural In-Person Mock Trail Comes to DoDEA

YOKOSUKA, JAPAN – Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY) recently hosted the Pacific East District’s first in-person mock trial competition. After years of anticipation, student advocates and witnesses from DoDEA high schools in Iwakuni, Sasebo, and Yokosuka gathered to engage in three rounds of energetic courtroom battles. 

More than 40 participants, 10 attorneys, two law students, three sponsors, and a sitting military judge participated in the event. Significant support was provided by the legal team from the CFAY JAG offices.

At the end of the event, Matthew C. Perry High School garnered the decision and exhibited the best witness and runner up, best attorney and runner up, and best overall team in the first in-person Pacific East Mock Trial Competition. 

“Mock Trial sincerely exceeded every expectation I had for the club,” said M.C. Perry student advocate Siyennah Igmen. “The lawyer's passion and support, paired with my teammates' chaotic humor, made every late-night meeting worthwhile. Moreover, the challenging atmosphere of Mock Trial made it not only exciting but incredibly rewarding, and I am so grateful I had the opportunity to participate.”

All three high school programs worked very hard to prepare for the competition.

“The Kinnick mock trial program began its preparation in the early fall with group presentations about the basics of trial advocacy, but before you knew it, the students were participating in their first scrimmage against a Philadelphia high school 7,000 miles away,” said Lt. Nicholas Guth, JAG, CFAY. “Practicing weekly, the competitors geared up for their regional competition at the local courthouse against Sasebo and Iwakuni, demonstrating that mock trial at Kinnick knows no borders.”

In Iwakuni, students went to the courtroom once a week for an hour and a half to work with attorneys.

“They started with no knowledge of how courts work, but after a few months, developed the skills necessary to present a whole case,” Capt. Andrew Hoffman stated. “All the teams were clearly competitive, but I was most impressed by the kindness and excitement the students shared with their opponents as soon as the rounds were over.” 

Tige Tarleton, M.C. Perry teacher and sponsor, said he was excited and nervous going into the competition, as it was M.C. Perry’s first year participating.  

“The lawyers and the students were phenomenal and really exceeded my expectations,” Mr. Tarleton said. “I am grateful for the opportunity to compete and particularly proud of all the hard work everyone put into it.”

This year’s mock trial case was set in Wisawe, Pennsylvania, a fictional suburb of Philadelphia. Addison Booker is the defendant, and s/he had been charged with one count of First-Degree Murder and one count of Conspiracy to Commit Homicide for hiring a “hit man” to shoot and kill Geoffrey Esper, a business competitor. Booker plead not guilty to all charges.

When the gavel struck, student advocates demonstrated the depth of their knowledge of case law by delivering opening and closing statements, conducting direct and cross-examinations of witnesses, entering exhibits to the court, objecting to testimony and questions from the opposition, and refreshing the recollection of witnesses.  Advocates exhibited excellent form and knowledge of courtroom decorum. This year’s trial judge was Commander Benjamin Garcia, a sitting military judge.

“I am grateful to our educational leaders for recognizing the advantages of the collaboration between the DoDEA schools and the base JAG Corps to our students,” said Ms. Francine Locker, King teacher and mock trial sponsor. “Mock trial provides our students with authentic experiences that will transcend high school into all aspects of their life’s journey. It hones listening, writing, and speaking skills. Students perfect the art of the argument, and they learn to think critically.  This is the quintessential springboard to college and career readiness.”

The Pacific East Mock Trial Program was established in 2013 at Commander Fleet Activities Sasebo by then JAG LT Jacob Meusch, Principal Dr. Gail Awakuni, then Base Commander, Charles W. Rock, and high school teacher Francine Locker.  Initially, the student advocates conducted a mock court martial for the community, both military and the host nation prefectural police officers, and the Japanese legal team.  Many spectators had never had the opportunity to witness an American court martial. In time, LTs Joseph Horton, Shauna Morris, and Jason Bentley changed the format to competition style, pitting four teams (arguing both defense and government) against each other in four rounds. Post pandemic mock trial saw LT John McGlaughlin (CFAS) and LT Charles Moore (CFAY) organize a consortium of 12 Western Pacific (WESTPAC) multi-service judge advocates who dedicated themselves to partnering with DoDEA schools to promote an understanding and appreciation of the American judicial system through mock trial competition and coaching.  Both CFAY and CFAS high schools were a part of this early format.  They were able to compete against each other; however, the competition was virtual.  2024 came in like a whirlwind.  CFAY’s Program, led by JAG LT Charles Moore and LT Nicholas Guth, persuaded the district to reconsider the timeline and format for the mock trial program in DoDEA, and the request was approved by Dr. Jacqueline Ferguson, Pacific East District Superintendent.