More than a trial run

The courtrooms of the Kane County Judicial Center were packed Saturday with prosecutors, defense attorneys, witnesses and defendants.

It could have been a typical day in court -- except most of the "lawyers" looked pretty young.

That's because they were high school students participating in the 10th annual St. Charles East and St. Charles North High Schools' Mock Trial Tournament.

Hosted by the 16th Circuit Court of Kane County, the event gives students an opportunity to try and defend a case before actual judges and trial lawyers. High school students played roles that included attorneys for the defense and prosecution, victims, defendants and witnesses.

This year's trial focused on a criminal case in which the defendant was accused of bullying another student over the course of five years, finally breaking the victim's arm in a school hallway.

Students' performances were critiqued by participating attorneys, especially valuable for those considering a career in law.

"This is a chance to get around the judicial system," said Janelle VanDeSampel, tournament coordinator from St. Charles North. "Then they can decide if that's what they want to do."

Although many of the participating students plan to become lawyers, the competition also attracted students interested in drama and public speaking.

St. Charles East sophomore Lena Hallaj plans to go into sociology, but said she got involved in the mock trial to learn time management and a good work ethic.

"I think it's really good teamwork," she said.

Others, like St. Charles North junior Samantha Resser, who wants to become a judge, and freshman Katy Karyannis, who plans to be an attorney, saw it as a chance to practice their future profession.

"Once the trial got started, the nerves went away, and it was focus on your job," Resser said.

"It was so much fun," added Karyannis, whose parents are both in law.

Once the two rounds were completed, scores given by the real attorneys were tabulated, and the two highest teams -- Hinsdale Central High School and Wheaton Academy -- competed in a championship round. Hinsdale Central won the tournament.

"This fosters a great understanding of the court system and the trial process," said 16th Circuit Chief Judge Donald C. Hudson, one of six circuit court judges who presided at the trials. "It builds bridges of community and cooperation between the court system and the community.

Other high schools that participated in Saturday's event were South Elgin, Mundelein, Maine South, York, Evanston, Glenbard South, Timothy Christian and Glenbard East.