Shortly after 8 a.m. this past Saturday morning, swarms of eager 1L's descended on the D.C. Superior Courthouse.  Clad in suits and toting briefcases and easels, over 100 students funneled through security to fill the lobby and all first floor corridors.  They did not come to interview for job prospects, receive outlines from Barbri, or even enjoy free booze, they came to compete in the annual Mock Trial Spring Competition.

Hosted by the GW Mock Trial Board, this year's competition was comprised of 212 students.  The competition took place all day Saturday and Sunday, with twenty-six teams competing in the morning session, twenty-five competing in the afternoon, and two competing at the GW Clinic Building on Sunday.  The teams were made up of two first year competitors and their "witnesses," playing the roles of an accused sexual predator, an FBI agent, and two psychologists.  Their trials were presided over by local practitioners - law clerks, DOJ attorneys, JAG attorneys, firm associates, and the like - and scored by second and third year Board members.

Third year student Chris Landrigan wrote the fact pattern for this year's problem.  In it, thirty-five year old Ralph Richards is accused of crossing state lines to engage in sexual acts with a minor.  Richards had engaged in online chats with "xxBarbieGirlxx," a "fourteen-year old female" who was actually an FBI agent.  Richards proceeded to drive his van to a park to meet up with this girl only to be arrested upon arrival.  However, at the time he was arrested, Richards was wearing a t-shirt that boasted, "Smile, I'm on To Catch a Predator," and carrying an index card explaining that this was all a joke made in an effort to appear on the popular television show.  Accordingly, the competitors had to prove what Richards actual intent was in driving to the park that afternoon.

Chris states that his inspiration for this problem was a conversation he had with a roommate during his first year in law school.  According to Chris, "we were watching 'To Catch a Predator' and thinking about possible defenses the guys could raise."  His roommate suggested that the suspect may wear a t-shirt like the one in this case to get out of any charges.  In addition, Chris "thought it would be fun to do a sketchy problem," and wanted to do a computer crimes case.  He notes that he had a good time writing this problem because, unlike the problem for the Cohen and Cohen competition that he wrote this fall, it was limited to one issue.

The problem was released to the competitors in the middle of January and they spent the last month crafting their case.  Assigned either to prosecution or defense, the competitors were given an upper-level student as a coach and provided with tip sessions on how to be an effective trial advocate.  The sessions were given by JAG attorney Rock Rockenbach, who also presided over the final round on Tuesday.

Overall, the competition was a success.  According to Mock Trial Board President Kristalyn Loson, "from what I've heard it seems like the level of competition has gone up along with the numbers of people.  With the economy people are realizing how important skills board memberships can be to differentiate themselves from other applicants."  Second-year students Farah Sheriff and David Myers served as the Spring Competition Co-Chairs, which involved a great deal of planning and preparation.  According to Farah, "I definitely put in more work planning the competition than competing in it last year."  David adds that "it was much more fun to compete."  Nevertheless, Farah concludes that the event "was a fun," and that she "hopes the competitors enjoyed it."

Likewise, Kristalyn "was impressed with how smoothly the event ran this year.  We didn't have to substitute any board members for competitors and everybody showed up, which in the world of competitions is a golden feat."  Finally, Kristalyn notes that the Board "appreciates the cooperation of our local courts; without them we wouldn't be able to hold such large competitions."  The Board also is grateful to Firehook, who catered the event with coffee and croissants in the morning and box lunches in the afternoon.  Spring Competition Assistant Chair Danielle Leon explains that the restaurant "made us tax exempt and included free coffee - it was a great deal."