CONTACT:CHRIS RUYS COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
Chris Ruys (312) 337-7746
E-mail: chris@chrisruys.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 2005
NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BUREAU TO BE CHALLENGED
AT HIGH SCHOOL MOCK TRIAL INVITATIONAL
Teams from 46 high schools statewide will participate in the 23rd annual Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) High School Mock Trial Invitational Friday and Saturday, March 4 and 5, at the University of Illinois at Springfield, Public Affairs Center.
The eight top-scoring teams will compete in the final round on Saturday, March 5, for the state championship. The winner will represent Illinois at the National High School Mock Trial Championship in Charlotte, North Carolina, May 5 - 7, 2005.
"The mock trial program is a rare opportunity for Illinois high school students to compete in a high-level academic endeavor," says Jay D. Reece of Bloomington, Chair of the ISBA's Standing 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," he 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 - plaintiff and defense - of a case developed by the Law-Related Education Committee. In this year's case, plaintiffs are filing a class action on behalf of themselves and similarly situated individuals to challenge the National Transportation Safety Bureau's administration and management of the "No-Fly" list and "Selectee" list. These lists, distributed to commercial airlines and security personnel, contain directives to detain and question any traveler whose name matches or is similar to one on the No-Fly or Selectee lists.
Through these lists, defendants have caused numerous innocent travelers to be detained, questioned and searched, with no rational or explanation as to how or why the individuals have been placed on the lists.
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.
Bartlett High School, Bartlett
Boylan Catholic High School, Rockford
Carmel Catholic High School, Mundelein
Chatham Glenwood High School, Chatham
Chicago Christian High School, Palos Heights
DeLaSalle Institute, Chicago
Evanston Township High School, Evanston
Fenwick High School, Oak Park
Glenbard East High School, Lombard
Glenbard South High School, Glen Ellyn
Glenbrook South High School, Glenview
Hinsdale Central High School, Hinsdale
Hinsdale South High School, Darien
Homewood Flossmoor, Flossmoor
Hubbard High School, Chicago
Huntley High School, Huntley
Illiana Christian High School, Lansing
H.D. Jacobs High School, Algonquin
Joliet Catholic High School, Joliet
Larkin High School, Elgin
Law Explorer Post 24, Champaign
Lexington High School, Lexington
Maine East High School, Park Ridge
Maine South High School, Park Ridge
Maine West High School, Des Plaines
Meridian High School, Mounds
Mt. Carmel High School, Chicago
Mt. Vernon Township High School, Mt. Vernon
Mundelein High School, Mundelein
Noble Street Charter, Chicago
Normal Community, Normal
Normal West High School, Normal
Oak Park River Forest, Oak Park
O'Fallon High School, O'Fallon
Providence St. Mel, Chicago
Roxana High School, Roxana
Sacred Heart-Griffin High School, Springfield
St. Charles East, St. Charles
Salem Community High School Salem
Thornton Fractional North High School, Calumet
Timothy Christian High School, Elmhurst
Wells High School, Chicago
Wheaton Academy, West Chicago
Willowbrook High School, Villa Park
York Community High School, Elmhurst
Zion-Benton High School, Zion
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LIST OF PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS:
Members of the media are welcome to cover any portion of the mock trials
over the two-day period.
Participating Schools
Illinois State Bar Association 2005 Mock Trial Invitational
March 4 & 5, 2005 · University of Illinois at Springfield