Livingston High School’s regional champion mock trial team provided the program for the Livingston Lions Club Wednesday.
The team traveled to Dallas on March 7 for the 46th annual State Mock Trial Competition and competed among 24 schools in the two-day event conducted by the Dallas Bar Association.
Mock trial is a rigorous competition in which students take on the roles of attorneys and witnesses to reenact a trial. This year’s case, The State of Texoma vs. J.K. Woodward, is a mock criminal trial that all participating schools have studied and prepared for since October.
Round one consisted of votes by peers and opposing team members, with Danielle Dickens receiving best advocate award and Levi Perry receiving best witness. Round two was again voted by peers with Ethan McWhorter receiving a best advocate and Levi Perry receiving a second award for best witness. Round three awards concluded with Levi Perry receiving a third best witness award and Braxton Ratliff receiving best attorney.
The second day of the state mock trial competition began with round 4 best witness going to Levi Perry and best advocate to Carmello Ivory.
During Wednesday’s program, the students explained that a mock trial is a simulation of a real courtroom trial in which students take on roles such as attorneys, witnesses and judges. The activity mirrors actual legal procedures, offering a realistic look at the justice system and also helps develop skills such as critical thinking, public speaking and legal reasoning.
Participants prepare and present cases, building skills in legal analysis, argument and communication. Mock trials also help students understand the legal system, courtroom procedures and the roles of key legal figures.
Denise Diaz Luna explained that attorneys read witness statements, prepare questions for direct and cross-examinations, and delivery opening or closing statements. Makayla Brooks explained that the students who play witnesses must memorize their witness statement and the facts and fully embody the role with attention to accent, style and demeanor.
Jazmin Negrete and Alyssa Dean explained that courtroom artists compete by drawing scenes from the courtroom, such as someone being questioned or delivering an opening statement, attempting to capture the essence and vibe. Negrete also explained that timekeepers track the time during the competition and ensure their team is aware of how much time has passed.
Latania Salinas reviewed what happens in the courtroom, explaining that pre-trial motions take up to five minutes, opening statements are up to five minutes per side, direct and redirect are up to 22 minutes per side, cross and recross are up to 11 minutes per sider and closing arguments are up to five minutes per side. Jaxon Grimm explained how the team prepared for competition. He said the case is released in October and the team begins case study before competing at the regional level and then the state level. He said the final champion team represents Texas at the National High School Mock Trial Competition.
Cheryl Hernandez reported that the LHS mock trial program started in 2023 with only seven members and earned second place that year. They returned in 2024 with a larger team, won first place and qualified for state. This year, the LHS team was one of 24 teams out of 177 statewide that competed. She said the team aims to fully expand the program and reach nationals next year.
The LHS mock trial team consists of: Danielle Dickens, Ethan McWhorter, Braxton Ratliff, Denise Diaz Luna, Jaxon Grimm and Carmello Ivory as attorneys; Levi Perry, Ethan McWhorter, Makayla Brooks and Jazmin Negrete as witnesses; Alyssa Dean as the courtroom artist; Latania Salinas, Cheryl Hernandez, Maria Dominguez and Jadelynn Pouncey as backup members; and Meyah Escobedo as mock trial president.
Advisors for the mock trial team are Meagan Young, the legal services advisor, and Eric Young, the criminal justice instructor.
