On Thursday, January 12, and Wednesday, January 17, the Ridge Mock Trial’s defense and prosecution teams competed against Mount Saint Mary’s and Watchung Hills, respectively, in Somerset County Courthouse. This year’s case encompassed a defamation case, in which the plaintiff sued the defendant for making libelous statements. The entire Mock Trial team studied this case for months, and after amply discussing the case with various lawyers, they went into competition confidently.

The day of the competition, Ridge’s defense team, led by attorneys Patrick O’Toole and Jeremy Fields, faced against the reigning county champions, Mount Saint Mary’s. Ridge’s defense team proposed the argument that defamation did not exist in this case; therefore, the plaintiff had no case, deeming the defendant “not guilty.”

During the trial, numerous events unfolded with assertive objections being thrown into the air and dictatorial lines of question accosting the witnesses. Ridge’s lawyers did an amazing job direct-examining their witnesses cross-examining the opposing witnesses as well. Equally as strongly, Mount Saint Mary’s lawyers battled with a challenging line of questioning during cross-examination, effectively swaying the jury.

Listening to the trial, James Feng‘18 remarks that “[this year’s team] was pretty strong, especially for many of those members who were first year members.”

This year’s defense team faced a tough opponent, and though they fiercely battled in the courtroom, the opposing counsel took home the crown.

The story was quite similar for the Ridge’s plaintiff team, led by attorneys James Feng and Maya Mukadam, who faced Watchung Hills. During this trial, the team argued that defamation clearly existed, given the damages faced by the plaintiff in the mock case. The evening began with opening statements given by both sides.

Remembering this moment fondly, Maya Mukadam ‘19 recalls, “[I loved] standing in front of the jury and delivering my opening. Exhilaration and excitement ran through me at that time because I knew then, it was my time for my hard work to pay off.”

Following the opening statements, both teams continued the night with intense questioning, arguing, and objecting. Finally, it was time for the closing arguments and, with resolution, all lawyers delivered. The judge ruled in favor of the defense in this case, and Ridge’s plaintiff team endured another loss.

Despite the losses, the entire Mock Trial team knows that they have a better understanding of what to expect in coming years, given the high caliber of competition they faced. Collective efforts of Mrs. Heidi Fox and Mr. Steve Kohut, the club mentors and coaches, the witnesses, and the lawyers bonded the team together, allowing Ridge students to become fierce competitors. Next year, the team plans on working even harder to secure a win in the tournament.