I am writing on behalf of the Mock Trial Organization at Boston University. We are an undergraduate organization dedicated to learning about trial advocacy, critical thinking skills, public speaking skills and teamwork. We are part of a larger organization called the American Mock Trial Association (AMTA). AMTA is an organization run by volunteers to provide legal education through direct practice for undergraduate students interested in law. Hundreds of team across the United States compete in mock trial competitions every year. Tournaments run at the invitational, regional, championship, and national levels. I hope you seriously consider volunteering as it would mean a lot to the students.
This year, Boston University will be hosting one of the American Mock Trial Association’s regional tournaments at the Suffolk County Courthouse in the heart of downtown Boston on February 4th, 5th, and 6th, 2011. Twenty-four talented teams from colleges and universities in the New England area will be competing for a spot at the championship level of competition.
An organization completely built on volunteers requires volunteer judges at our tournaments. I would like to extend the invitation to you to attend our tournament as a judge. A judge’s responsibilities are quite easy: simply attend a three-hour trial session and score the performance of the plaintiff and defense teams for the round.
I hope you volunteer as a judge for our tournament, as we need roughly around one hundred and twenty volunteers for our tournament to be successful. The students work hard all year round, hoping to have the chance to make it to the national competition in Iowa this year. Your help will make it possible for them. Also, this experience will allow you to share your expertise with talented future lawyers from around the region. It’s a great opportunity to make connections with other legal professionals who will be serving as judges as well.
Below is the summary of the year’s AMTA trial and the judges’ schedule. If you should decide to attend as a judge, you are welcome and even encouraged to participate in as many round as you would like. Additionally, if you know anyone else who might be interested in participating as a judge, we encourage you to invite him or her as well.
If you are interested in being a judge, please RSVP using the attached form. If you have any other questions about the event, do not hesitate to contact me. I can be reached by email at buregionalmocktrial@gmail.com
AMTA 2010-2011 Case
This year, Midlands is dealing with a civil case involving the Davis family and HappyLand Toy Company. Andy Davis lost his/her son, Joey Davis, after Joey swallowed some beads from HappyLand’s new toy, The Princess Beads. The Davis family can pursue a claim of negligence per se or strict liability.
On August 8th, 2009, Brett Miller, the babysitter for the Davis Family, was babysitting Joey and Hillary Davis. S/He left the room to make some lunch for Joey. When s/he arrived, Joey Davis was on the ground, not moving. After rushing to the hospital, Joey Davis died later that day from respiratory arrest. The cause of his respiratory arrest appears to be GHB poisoning.
The Princess Beads, a make your own jewelry set, was a toy intended for children ages nine and up. However, the beads contained a chemical on them called 1-4 Butanediol, which metabolizes into GHB upon ingestion. However, Joey Davis was not the healthiest child. In fact, he suffered from breathing problems and never went to the doctor for treatment. Andy Davis, his parent, and Brett MIller, his babysitter, may be more at fault for the death of Joey Davis than HappyLand Toy Company.
Judges’ Schedule (refreshments will be provided at all meetings)
Friday: February 4th
Judges’ Meeting 5:30-6:00pm
Round 1 6:00-9:00pm
Saturday: February 5th
Judges’ Meeting 9:30-10:00am
Round 2 10:00am-1:00pm
Judges’ Meeting 2:30-3:00pm
Round 3 3:00-6:00pm
Sunday: February 6th
Judges’ Meeting 8:30-9:00am
Round 4 9:00am-12:00pm
Brittni Wipper
Tournament Director
Mock Trial Organization
Boston University
