Mock Trial

Melanie Lofaro , Coordinator, Division of Instructional Support Services

4 Harriman Drive
Goshen, NY 10924
Phone: 845-781-4363 ext. 10702

The Mock Trial Program, coordinated by OUB, is sponsored by the New York State Bar Association. Each year, teams from a number of Orange County high schools are given the opportunity to analyze and interpret a trial prepared by the NYSBA and to present their interpretation in a courtroom before a county judge.

To prepare for the tournament, each school has a teacher-coach as well as a local attorney working with them to help them with the nuances of the courtroom and presentation skills. This experience is one that cannot be duplicated in the classroom. The winner of the county tournament goes on to regionals with the possibility of going to the state tournament.

Goshen High School Wins 2024 OUB Mock Trial 

Goshen and Washingtonville faced off April 9, 2024 in the Mock Trial finals in the Orange County Courthouse in Goshen. Congratulations to the team from Goshen High School for winning the Orange-Ulster BOCES Mock Trial finals.

The Mock Trial Program began its 2024 multi-round competition on Saturday, March 16 with teams from Chester, Goshen, James I. O'Neill, Minisink Valley, Middletown, Monroe-Woodbury, Newburgh Free Academy, Port Jervis, Valley Central, Warwick Valley, and Washingtonville.

The high school teams faced off in "courtrooms" and argued their cases before Orange County judges. Eight of the participating teams scored enough points to advance to the next rounds. 

New York State Mock Trial Tournament is an educational program designed to teach secondary students basic legal and trial skills. Students learn how to conduct direct and cross examinations, how to present opening and closing statements, how to think on their feet, and learn the dynamics of a courtroom.

Students also learn how to analyze legal issues and apply the law to the facts of a case.  On the state level, the Mock Trial Program is sponsored by the New York State Bar Association. Locally, the program is coordinated by Orange-Ulster BOCES in collaboration with the Honorable Craig S. Brown and the Honorable Kimberly Van Haaster.