Court Hosts National Mock Trial Tournament
More than 500 college students from 50 universities competed in mock trial competitions at the Cuyahoga County Justice Center.
The Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas hosted the American Mock Trial Association’s (AMTA) National Championship Tournament (NCT) from Friday, April 4, to Sunday, April 6. This was the 40th anniversary of the NCT, which was started in 1985 by the Drake Law School in Des Moines, Iowa. The AMTA annually hosts 32 regional tournaments, eight opening round championship tournaments, and the national championship. Approximately 700 teams from more than 400 universities and colleges have competed for the opportunity to come to Cleveland.
Among the schools appearing in the NCT were Harvard, Yale, Loyola, Princeton, UCLA, Case Western Reserve University, and The Ohio State University. 28 courtrooms in the Justice Center were utilized for the NCT; 23 from the Common Pleas Court and five from the Cleveland Municipal Court. Several Common Pleas Judges were among the more than 100 volunteer judges for the NTC.
“It is an honor to host this prestigious competition,” says Administrative and Presiding Judge Brendan J. Sheehan. “There are few courthouses in the country that could simultaneously accommodate this many mock trial competitions in one building. I wish all the competitors the best of luck. They are the future of the legal profession, and we are thrilled to provide this experience in real courtrooms.”
At the end of the three-day competition, The University of Chicago took tops honors over Miami of Ohio.
The Common Pleas Court is grateful to the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department and Cuyahoga County Public Works for their assistance in providing a safe and exciting experience for the participants.
