In the approaching 2024 Ohio Mock Trial competition case, students will examine the history and application of the Excessive Fines Clause in the Eighth Amendment. Specifically, this case will look at excessive fines in the context of property forfeiture resulting from a crime. Students will consider the facts to determine whether the State of Buckeye can seize defendant Ash Espinosa’s 1967 Chevrolet Camaro. As high school students from the greater Cincinnati area prepare to argue this case, we need the help of our amazing CBA colleagues to provide guidance, feedback, and perspective.
We are so excited to be hosting this year’s competition at the Hamilton County Courthouse! We appreciate all the efforts from our legal community in helping us with last year’s competition. The Cincinnati Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Section is looking for more than 50 volunteer lawyers for the 2024 Mock Trial Competition. Local attorneys can give back to the community by sharing their knowledge and enthusiasm for the practice of law as volunteer judges in the upcoming competition. Whether you are a seasoned volunteer or have no experience with the Mock Trial competition, your assistance is critical to the success of the program.
For more than 30 years, this program has given students a practical introduction to the justice system, the Constitution, and the legal process by giving them the opportunity to participate in mock trials as either lawyers or witnesses. Over the course of the simulated trial, students present opening statements, conduct cross-examinations, address cross-examinations, and more.
The Cincinnati Bar Association will again host district and regional competitions for the greater Cincinnati area. For this to be successful, volunteer attorneys are vital to preside as judges over both rounds of the competition. During the trial, judges observe, grade, and provide feedback on the performances of the students. The level of dedication and enthusiasm by the students is always impressive to witness. Students truly appreciate the insights and thoughts of local attorneys. You can be a part of this exciting opportunity to impact local high school students.
The program is sponsored locally by the Cincinnati Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Section and fully endowed by the Cincinnati Bar Foundation. More than 350 students from approximately 22 area high schools participate each year. As co-chairs of the Young Lawyers Section’s Mock Trial Committee, Cecelia Tió (Corporate Counsel, Lumin Digital, LLC) and Jacob Harrod (Legal Counsel, Fifth Third) encourage each of you to take this opportunity to be involved and support local students interested in the practice of law.
This year, the district competition will take place on Friday, January 26th, 2024 with rounds taking place at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. The regional competition will follow on Friday, February 16th, 2024 with rounds at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. If you are interested in volunteering as a judge, please contact Ethan Barnes at the Cincinnati Bar Association at ebarnes@cincybar.org.
For more information on the 2024 case, please visit the Ohio Center for Law-Related Education’s website at http://oclre.org/aws/OCLRE/pt/sp/mocktrial_highschool. If you have enjoyed judging in the past or wish to become even more engaged with a high school mock trial team, consider becoming a legal advisor. Please contact the Ohio Center for Law Related Education at 614-485-3507 for more information.
We hope you will join us!
Tió is an attorney at Lumin Digital LLC and YLS Mock Trial Co-chair. Harrod is an attorney at Fifth Third Bank in the Legal Department and YLS Mock Trial Co-chair.