The Bainbridge High School Mock Trial Team recently swept the Mock Trial Region 1 competition, picking up 18 out of 18 winning ballots from evaluators.

The team traveled to Albany, Ga., on Feb. 7 for the competition where they competed against Berrien High School in Nashville, Ga., Kendrick High School and Shaw High School, both in Columbus, Ga., and Valwood School in Valdosta, Ga.

The civil case the team modeled in competition was Sadler v. Hamilton in which the plaintiff sues the defendant for monetary damages due to allegations of simple battery.

BHS Mock Trial Sponsor James Robinson said the members of the team work diligently preparing for the competition, practicing for two hours each day after school since November.

“It’s been a struggle, but this year it all seemed to come together for us,” Robinson said.

In addition to learning about the law and court system, Robinson explained that the students simulate the courtroom experience, doing everything from making opening statements to performing cross examinations. The team also receives guidance from their attorney coaches District Attorney Joe Mulholland and attorney Paul Fryer.

The students practiced their skills in the secondary courtroom at the Decatur County Courthouse and used the main courtroom to perform their mock trial dress rehearsal before the region competition with State Court Judge George C. Floyd presiding over the trial.

“Even if you don’t want to be a lawyer, mock trials help you become more confident and a better speaker in front of other people,” team member Megan Wimberley said.

The BHS Mock Trial Team will travel to Lawrenceville, Ga., March 14 and 15 to compete against 15 other teams for the title of Mock Trial State Champion.

The last time the team won the Region 1 competition was more than a decade ago in 1994. Funding for travel and competition fees are provided by the Decatur County Schools Foundation.