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madrobinsSo, like her sister, Avocado has been a member of the Balboa HS Mock Trial team. Eight years ago Sarcasm Girl's team carried the city competition (sweeping away Lowell and School of the Arts) and they went to State. Since then, the San Francisco team to beat has been School of the Arts.
Last night, Balboa's defense team went up against SOTA. One of trial attorneys was Avocado, and we went to watch her. I don't know why I didn't go see her sister--I think because her sister never invited me. Boy, is this a tough sport. They have a complete case to try, including one pretrial motion (prosecution argued--citing amazing quantities of case law--that a statement of the defendant was admissible; defense argued--citing even more amazing amounts of case law--that it was not). That got sorted--decision for the prosecution. Then the trial began.
If you don't know how Mock Trial works, lemme 'splain.
All over the state the teams are given the same case: this year it was a hit-and-run. Each school's team works with a team of attorneys who volunteer as trainers and coaches. Each team has both a defense and a prosecution side--and by side, I mean the defense side has kids playing the lawyers, the defendant, and the witnesses; the prosecution has kids playing the lawyers and witnesses; and each team fields a bailiff, a court reporter, and a time-keeper.
The teams learn the particulars of the case--they are given statements from each witness, as well as the "police reports" and evidence they are allowed to use (this year it was a diagram of the accident). The witnesses get their statements and backstories and prepare, not only to give testimony, but play their parts convincingly (especially the defendant). And the lawyers--have to learn to act like lawyers: not to play lawyers, but behave like them. They learn timing and composure and address as well as case law and court etiquette. When to object. How to object (what's a real objection and what's not). And And then they have to show it all off against another team that has been prepping just as hard and just as long.
Avocado, on the defense side, did some witness examination--both direct and cross-- and gave the closing statement. All the kids playing lawyers dress to the hilt, but A--in a demure black blazer over a fitted red dress and pearls, with her hair pulled away from her face but long in back, looked both gorgeous and seriously businesslike. And she was fierce: smart, quick, well-versed, polite, firm, but not letting anyone get away with anything. Each team comes prepared with a strategy and approach and all the law they can stuff in their busy heads, but they have to respond to the other team's approach. The prosecution in this case positioned the case as "three witnesses, two opportunities for the defendant to have stopped/reported the accident, one conclusion (guilty)." Avocado finished with the argument that rather than 3-2-1, this was a a case of "two possibilities," -- and summed up the defense's credible alternate theory of the crime. When she was winding up her closing, the timekeeper called STOP! Avocado attempted to finish her sentence (which is permitted under the rules) and the timekeeper called STOP! again. Avocado turned to the judge: "Your Honor, under the rules of Mock Trial Procedures, I believe I am permitted to finish my sentence?" The judge agreed without breaking into a smile that she could finish her sentence. The kid composed and delivered a compound sentence that got in all the information she wanted--wound up and got off stage.
In the end, the judge ruled that the Defense had created sufficient reasonable doubt to find for the defendant. He (our particular judge was played by a local litigator who is the current president of the San Francisco bar) was a smart, funny, charming guy, and he was clearly impressed by both teams. The team of attorneys volunteering as scorekeepers were also impressed--but the scores didn't come out until today.
Balboa beat SOTA for the first time in seven or eight years (since the year SG's team did it). And Avocado got a perfect 10 out of 10 for her performance. The only one on either team to do it.
And tonight she went to hear Madeleine Albright speak and--she just came home, the Conquering Heroine--got a picture with her.
I've said before that I am awed by my daughters. I say it again. Whew.
Last night, Balboa's defense team went up against SOTA. One of trial attorneys was Avocado, and we went to watch her. I don't know why I didn't go see her sister--I think because her sister never invited me. Boy, is this a tough sport. They have a complete case to try, including one pretrial motion (prosecution argued--citing amazing quantities of case law--that a statement of the defendant was admissible; defense argued--citing even more amazing amounts of case law--that it was not). That got sorted--decision for the prosecution. Then the trial began.
If you don't know how Mock Trial works, lemme 'splain.
All over the state the teams are given the same case: this year it was a hit-and-run. Each school's team works with a team of attorneys who volunteer as trainers and coaches. Each team has both a defense and a prosecution side--and by side, I mean the defense side has kids playing the lawyers, the defendant, and the witnesses; the prosecution has kids playing the lawyers and witnesses; and each team fields a bailiff, a court reporter, and a time-keeper.
The teams learn the particulars of the case--they are given statements from each witness, as well as the "police reports" and evidence they are allowed to use (this year it was a diagram of the accident). The witnesses get their statements and backstories and prepare, not only to give testimony, but play their parts convincingly (especially the defendant). And the lawyers--have to learn to act like lawyers: not to play lawyers, but behave like them. They learn timing and composure and address as well as case law and court etiquette. When to object. How to object (what's a real objection and what's not). And And then they have to show it all off against another team that has been prepping just as hard and just as long.
Avocado, on the defense side, did some witness examination--both direct and cross-- and gave the closing statement. All the kids playing lawyers dress to the hilt, but A--in a demure black blazer over a fitted red dress and pearls, with her hair pulled away from her face but long in back, looked both gorgeous and seriously businesslike. And she was fierce: smart, quick, well-versed, polite, firm, but not letting anyone get away with anything. Each team comes prepared with a strategy and approach and all the law they can stuff in their busy heads, but they have to respond to the other team's approach. The prosecution in this case positioned the case as "three witnesses, two opportunities for the defendant to have stopped/reported the accident, one conclusion (guilty)." Avocado finished with the argument that rather than 3-2-1, this was a a case of "two possibilities," -- and summed up the defense's credible alternate theory of the crime. When she was winding up her closing, the timekeeper called STOP! Avocado attempted to finish her sentence (which is permitted under the rules) and the timekeeper called STOP! again. Avocado turned to the judge: "Your Honor, under the rules of Mock Trial Procedures, I believe I am permitted to finish my sentence?" The judge agreed without breaking into a smile that she could finish her sentence. The kid composed and delivered a compound sentence that got in all the information she wanted--wound up and got off stage.
In the end, the judge ruled that the Defense had created sufficient reasonable doubt to find for the defendant. He (our particular judge was played by a local litigator who is the current president of the San Francisco bar) was a smart, funny, charming guy, and he was clearly impressed by both teams. The team of attorneys volunteering as scorekeepers were also impressed--but the scores didn't come out until today.
Balboa beat SOTA for the first time in seven or eight years (since the year SG's team did it). And Avocado got a perfect 10 out of 10 for her performance. The only one on either team to do it.
And tonight she went to hear Madeleine Albright speak and--she just came home, the Conquering Heroine--got a picture with her.
I've said before that I am awed by my daughters. I say it again. Whew.
