Page 18 - January February 24 Report

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THE REPORT | January/February 2024 | CincyBar.org
What is Mock Trial?
Mock Trial helps high school students develop a deeper understanding of the law through a lively competition that begins in one of 32 district competitions. Depending on the scoring of each team’s work — including acting as lawyers presenting each side of a case, witnesses and jurors — the teams advance to regional, state, and even national competition. Mock Trial includes:
• 400 teams throughout the state, including 3,600 students
• 900 volunteer judges and lawyers in Ohio, including more than 100 here in Hamilton County
• Three attorneys and “real life” judges who serve as judges for each pair of teams. One acts as the presiding judge and two are scoring judges, all giving feedback to the teams as they present their cases.
How to Volunteer
You can serve at one or both of the local sessions at the Hamilton County Cour thouse on:
District competition: Jan. 26
Round 1: 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Round 2: 2:30 - 4:30 p.m. Register at cincybar.org
Regional competition: Feb. 16
Round 1: 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Round 2: 2:30 - 4:30 p.m. Register at cincybar.org
If you are interested in volunteering as a judge, register online, scan one of the QR codes below, or contact Ethan Barnes at (513) 699-1404 or ebarnes@cincybar.org.
The Case
In the 2024 Ohio High School Mock Trial case State of Buckeye v. Ash Espinosa, students will examine the history and application of the Excessive Fines Clause of the Eighth Amendment. Specifically, this case looks at excessive fines in the context of property forfeiture resulting from a crime. The defendant, Ash Espinosa, has pled guilty to conspiracy
to commit money laundering. The State is now looking to recover the loss of the conspiracy by seizing Espinosa’s 1967 Chevrolet Camaro. However, Espinosa argues against the Camaro’s seizure for two reasons: 1) Espinosa asserts that
the State has seized more property and funds than what Espinosa owes and 2) Espinosa argues that, even if the Court determines that Espinosa is responsible for the remaining loss, seizure of the Camaro would violate Espinosa’s Eighth Amendment right against excessive fines.
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