Huntington Mock Trial Team Preps for Season

Huntington High School’s returning county champion courtroom warriors have resumed training. Mock trial team members are participating in pre-season practice sessions as they wait to receive this year’s contest packet from the New York State Bar Association.

The 2024 case will be announced soon. It will be a criminal case since last year’s was civil in nature and the type of case alternates year-to-year. Once the specific case is known, Huntington team members will be assigned roles as lawyers and witnesses. In the meantime, the group is using “example fact patterns” to practice.

Local attorney and Huntington High School alum Xavier Palacios is once again volunteering as legal advisor, working with Huntington team members to sharpen their skills and courtroom performances. Business teachers Suzi Biagi and Bryan Outsen are this year’s faculty advisors.

“In this educational program, co-sponsored by the New York Bar Foundation, high school students have the opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge of civil/criminal law and courtroom procedures,” according to the organization’s website. “Thousands of students participate each year from all around New York State.”

Huntington’s mock trial club is led by juniors Isabella Careccia-Johnson and Nina Fascilla, who are serving as this year’s co-presidents. Junior Elizabeth James is the secretary and public relations coordinator.

“So far we’re off to a great start with a solid group of returning members and so many promising new faces,” Ms. Fascilla said. “We’ve spent the past two months reviewing rules and procedure, but now that this year's case has been released we’re ready to really dive in and start crafting our material. We’re all very excited to be working with a criminal case this year, but it will take a lot of work, as always, to be ready to compete by February. Everything that goes on behind the scenes is what takes the most effort and trial and error. There’s still so much to be done as this is just the beginning, but the whole team is super enthusiastic and ready to win another county title.”

The mock trial team’s roster is not yet set in stone. It is still in a state of flux, but there is little doubt Huntington will have a fully staffed squad. The mock trial team initiative seeks to enhance participant’s public speaking skills and inspire some to consider a legal career.

The regular season will feature four matches followed by playoff rounds, beginning with the Sweet 16. Huntington topped Northport in last year’s Suffolk final and placed third in the state finals.

The regular season lineup and assigned side of the case is as follows:

• Week 1 – February 7: Away at John Glenn (Defense)
• Week 2 – February 14: Home vs. West Islip (People)
• Week 3 – February 28: Home vs. Miller Place (Defense)
• Week 4 – March 6: Away at Southampton (People)