Hoffman Middle Students Participate in Mock Trial

Thirty-nine students from Hoffman Middle School participated in Houston Bar Association’s (HBA) Juvenile Justice Mock Trial Program at the downtown Harris County Courthouse on November 15.

The HBA program is conducted in four sessions in eighth grade classrooms throughout Harris County. Law students work with HBA staff to help students develop a case story, prepare witnesses, write attorney questions, and educate students chosen as court personnel about their roles and help them prepare for trial. Law students work during two five-week classroom units each fall and each spring. At the conclusion of the classroom unit, law students help the eighth graders enact their mock trial in real Harris County courtrooms.

The Hoffman Middle School case involved a felony charge of criminal mischief in which the defendant was charged with vandalizing her boyfriend’s car. Defense attorneys Joceline González, Gloria Vargas and Jushwa Ademek put up a great defense while prosecuting attorneys Fátima García, Julie Álvarez and Ezequiel Santos did an excellent job of making their case. Sierra Juárez acted as judge. The jurors could not agree on a unanimous verdict, which resulted in a hung jury.

Charlotte Davis, humanities teacher at Hoffman Middle, also worked with the students to help them prepare for trial.

“The Juvenile Justice Mock Trial Program helps students develop useful knowledge about the law, questioning techniques, critical thinking, and oral advocacy skills,” said Davis. “The program left the student with an appreciation of the difficulties that judges, lawyers and juries face in attempting to present all relevant facts and legal arguments and ensure the just resolution of the issues involved.”

Hoffman Middle School student Joceline González questions the witness during the mock trial.

Student Juliette Álvarez is pictured in her role as an attorney. She is seen reading her opening statement at the mock trial.

The jury — comprised of Hoffman Middle School students — listens attentively during the mock trial.

A Hoffman Middle student plays the role of witness. He is on the stand testifying for the defendant.