JAMESTOWN — The Robert H. Jackson Center (305 E. 4th Street Jamestown, NY 14701) will host the final round of the 2019 Chautauqua County Mock Trial competitions on Saturday, March 30, 2019 at 1 p.m. This program is free and open to the public.

Chautauqua County joined the New York Statewide High School Mock Trial program in 2001 and welcomes local high school teams from both public and nonpublic schools to participate in the tournament. Each team, with the guidance and assistance of an attorney advisor and teacher coach, prepares for competition using a modified version of trial procedures that are adapted for use in a mock trial setting. During the course of review and practice of the assigned case study, team members develop their various roles, prepare team strategy, and learn trial procedures. Teams are judged on their case presentation, which is expected to enhance critical reasoning and listening skills, and their ability to “think on their feet.” During tournament competition, each team will argue both sides of a case and assume the roles of attorneys and witnesses. The tournament judges, usually local judges or attorneys, score the teams based on a rating sheet that includes criteria on preparation, performance, and professionalism.

The highest scoring team from the Chautauqua County Tournament finals will be awarded the Robert H. Jackson Cup. A formal presentation of the award will take place in the Cappa Theatre of the Robert H. Jackson Center immediately after the winning team is announced. The Chautauqua County championship team will then proceed to the Regional Competition to compete against winners from other counties in New York State. The top team from each of New York State’s eight regions is then invited to participate in the State Finals.