The Lyceum of Monterey County

Press: Lyceum's Mock Trial

Press Release, November 26, 2007:

Contact: Juliette Calandra Ferguson, Executive Director
The Lyceum of Monterey County
831-372-6098
juliette@lyceum.org

A Murder, A T.V. Producer ------ Lyceum's Mock Trial

Real Judges in Monterey Court Rooms!

Mock trial high school students are competing from five high-schools this year. Monterey, Pacific Grove, Carmel, Alisal, and Palma. That's three peninsula schools and two salinas schools this year! The winning school will represent Monterey County at the State Finals in Riverside, CA, March 28th - 30th, 2008.

The schedule for First Round Trials is as follows:

Thursday, January 24th, Monday, January 28th and Wednesday, January 30th from 5:30-7:30pm
Saturday, February 2nd at 8:30am and 10:30am
Final Championship Trial: Saturday, February 2nd at 2pm with Awards Ceremony to follow

Trials take place at the Monterey County Courthouse - 1200 Aguajito Road in Monterey. This event is open to the public.

Through role-playing techniques, students learn about the content and processes of law in an exciting and vibrant way by working with local volunteer attorneys over a four-month process. "This hands on experience increases their self-confidence enabling them to consider and pursue new opportunities" said Megan Havens, Lyceum Mock Trial Director. "In fact," stated Virginia Hines of Lombardo & Gilles Attorneys at Law and Lyceum Mock Trial Chair, "two students from Salinas received free rides to college after their Mock Trial experiences last year and a former Mock Trial Student is completing his third year of law school at Golden Gate University."

"This year's case "People v. Palmer" is exciting, for students -- the defendant Alex Palmer is an ex-employee of a famous television producer. Mr. Palmer is alleged to have murdered his former employer Jes Markson and is charged with one count of first-degree murder" stated Virginia (Gini) Hines, attorney, "and the pre-trial motion involves the admissibility of scientific evidence in a criminal trial"

The Lyceum of Monterey County is celebrating year 10 of sponsoring The Monterey County Mock Trial. This year the Law Office of Michael J. Whilden, the William McCaskey Chapman and Adaline Dinsmore Chapman Foundation, and the Monterey County Bar Association join The Lyceum as co-sponsors.

The Lyceum of Monterey County is known for after school enrichment programs in the Arts, Sciences, Technology, Literacy, and Humanities throughout Monterey County. The Lyceum also sponsors three Monterey County academic events: Mock Trial, Spelling Bee for Elementary Students, and History Day. The Lyceum's mission is to inspire a life-long love of learning. The Lyceum of Monterey County is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. For information: www.lyceum.org, 831-372-6098, general@lyceum.org.