CONTACT:CHRIS RUYS COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
Chris Ruys (312) 337-7746
E-mail: chris@chrisruys.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 2004
CYBER STALKING ON TRIAL AT
HIGH SCHOOL MOCK TRIAL INVITATIONAL
Teams from 52 high schools statewide will participate in the 22nd annual Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) High School Mock Trial Invitational this weekend, Friday and Saturday, March 5 and 6, at the University of Illinois at Springfield.
The eight top-scoring teams will compete in the final round on Saturday, March 6, for the state championship. The winner will represent Illinois at the National High School Mock Trial Championship which will be held during Mother's Day weekend in Orlando, Fla.
"The mock trial program is a rare opportunity for Illinois high school students to compete in a high-level academic endeavor," says Lynda S. Marquardt of Naperville, Chair of the ISBA's Committee on Law-Related Education for the Public, which conducts the program.
"Students must analyze complex information, apply logic and deductive reasoning, communicate effectively, and use other critical thinking skills in the trial scenario," she continued. "ISBA offers this opportunity for the students to come together, after months of hard work and preparation, to challenge each other and stimulate discussion."
Each 10-member team tries both sides - prosecution and defense - of a case developed by the Law-Related Education Committee. This year's case, People of the State of Illinois v. Kinsley Craghead, is a fictional criminal case very loosely based on an actual on-line stalking case in Lake County, Ill. Jamie is the alleged victim. Jamie and Casey, the roommate, allege that Jamie is the victim of cyber stalking by Kinsley Craghead, another student on campus. They feel that Kinsley is responsible because of an altercation in the student union after which the various chat room postings began to appear, which seemed to be directed toward Jamie.
Students will assume the roles of attorneys and witnesses, and a panel of Illinois lawyers and judges, along with members of the ISBA Law-Related Education Committee, will rate the students' performance. The students must also take a written test about the issues of the case.
The high school mock trials have been conducted each year since 1982 by the ISBA to provide Illinois high school students an interesting and challenging way to gain insight into the American judicial system.
The 30,000 member ISBA, with offices in Springfield and Chicago, provides professional services to Illinois member attorneys, and education to the public.
NOTE: LIST OF PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS IS ATTACHED.
Members of the media are welcome to cover any portion of the mock trials
over the two-day period.