The Hilton High School Mock Trial Team won first place in the 2018 Monroe County Mock Trial Competition, sponsored by both the Monroe County Bar Association and the New York State Bar Association on Saturday, April 21. Hilton High School was one of 10 high schools that participated in the county-wide competition and prevailed over Allendale-Columbia, Brighton, Brockport, Churchville-Chili, Eastridge, McQuaid, Mendon, Mercy and Penfield. As Monroe County Champions, Hilton High School represented Monroe County in the Regional Competition against school districts from the 9-County District.
All statewide participants competed using the same criminal court fact pattern. Specifically, the People of the State of New York v. Carson Connors, involved a student charged with disorderly conduct as a result of an incident allegedly occurring at a local school involving another student. Hilton High School participated on behalf of the government as the District Attorney representing the interests of the People of the State of New York, and participated on behalf of the defendant, Carson Connors, representing his interests as defense counsel. The Cadets had two teams of six students each; three students acted as attorneys and three students acted as witnesses. Each attorney was responsible for conducting direct and cross examination, introducing evidence, objections and argument as to what evidence should be deemed admissible and which evidence should be excluded by the court. Each witness was responsible for testifying on direct and cross examination as to facts of the case, and some witnesses were offered as expert witnesses in their field of expertise. The mock trial competitions that continued over three months were presided over by judges and attorneys who practice within the county and district.
The 2018 Hilton High School Mock Trial Team consists of: Caroline West, Dillon Iannone, Kayla Simone, Laura Robinson, Marianna Ban, Matt Lyons, Maverick Clark, Max Jamerson, Michael Speciale, Olivia Strauss, Orion Clark, Sarah Engel and Tyler DiCesare.
The Hilton High School Mock Trial Team is coached by Hilton High School business law teacher, Mary Pignato, Monroe County Assistant District Attorney Bianca S. D’Angelo, (Hilton High School Class of 2004 and former mock trial team member) and Michael A. Sciortino, Parma Town Court Justice and General Counsel. The teacher and attorney coaches work with the students multiple times during the week, including Sunday morning practices, preparing them for competition.
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