Mock Trial, Real Life

Both of the mock trial teams from Ypsilanti High School have spent the morning in the Oakland County Courthouse sparring with other teams in a case involving cyberbullying. Inside the courthouse, the coaches-all of them Michigan Law students, members of an organization founded her three years ago called Future Advocates in Training, or FAIT - await the room assignments for the afternoon round. After training for several months, the two teams from Ypsi High will face each other in the courtroom. Sure, it's only a mock trial, but it feels intensely real to these students.

They have sacrificed social activities to make it to practice.They have stayed up late to learn rules of evidence. They have become friends with people on both teams, and now only one team will emerge as the winner.