NJSBF.org - Mock Trial Makes History: Chief Justice Rabner to Preside Over March 24 High School Finals

Mock Trial Makes History: Chief Justice Rabner to Preside Over March 24 High School Finals

MEDIA ADVISORY: HISTORY TO BE MADE AS NJ SUPREME COURT CHIEF JUSTICE PRESIDES OVER BAR FOUNDATION'S HIGH SCHOOL MOCK TRIAL FINALS MARCH 24

For the first time in the 29-year history of the New Jersey State Bar Foundation's Vincent J. Apruzzese High School Mock Trial Competition, a sitting Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of New Jersey will preside over the exciting state championship round. The Hon. Stuart J. Rabner, along with the Hon. Marilyn C. Clark, Superior Court, Passaic County, will judge the statewide finals at the New Jersey Law Center in New Brunswick.

On March 24 at 9:30 a.m., Middle Township High School of Cape May County will go up against the defending champion, last year's winner West Morris Mendham High School of Morris County, in the prestigious contest following their March 22 victories over third-place finisher Princeton Day School of Mercer County. The two finalists emerged triumphant from a field of 232 teams that had registered at the beginning of the season.

The media are encouraged to cover this very special day in court as Chief Justice Rabner hears the fictitious civil case. Which team will argue for the plaintiff or defendant will be decided by a coin toss that morning. In the case, J.E. Moody, a student at Metropolitan High School, is charged with negligence after the car Moody was driving on school grounds struck fellow student Jordan Pederson. Each claims the other was driving or walking in a "distracted manner" as the result of using wireless electronic communication devices.

The annual Vincent J. Apruzzese High School Mock Trial Competition is sponsored by the New Jersey State Bar Foundation in cooperation with New Jersey's county bar associations. For more information, please contact Sheila Boro at 732-937-7519 or sboro@njsbf.org.

Photographers can expect some great photo opportunities. If you plan to cover the mock trial finals, please contact Ellen Dweck at 732-937-7523.

Founded in 1958, the New Jersey State Bar Foundation is the educational and philanthropic arm of the New Jersey State Bar Association. The Bar Foundation's mission is to promote public understanding of the law through a free, comprehensive public education program. Among its activities, the Foundation conducts seminars and conflict resolution training, publishes materials, operates a videotape loan library and speakers bureau, and coordinates elementary, middle and high school mock trial competitions. For more information about the Foundation's programs and publications, visit us online at www.njsbf.org or call 1-800-FREE-LAW.