They've won it 29 times before, as Rhinelander High School's Mock Trial team returns to the regional tournament in Wausau this coming weekend.
Mock Trial is a method for students to learn the legal system by playing the roles of attorneys or witnesses in a facts situation written by the State Bar Association. The procedure follows courtroom rules and about 100 teams compete.
In the past 32 years, Rhinelander was a national champion once, and has won the state competition 17 times. The coaches are Kathy Vick-Martini,attorney Amy Ferguson and Judge Michael Bloom.
Vick-Martini says the fictional case begins with alleged police brutality of a homeless person. During the arrest, the homeless person experiences a seizure. The police officer doesn't recognize the seizure and thinks the person is resisting arrest.
".....and there was some permanent injury as a result. The victim is claiming a well-trained officer would have been trained to detect the siezure and the injury would not have resulted...."
The regional tournament will be held Saturday in the Marathon County Courthouse in Wausau.
Rhinelander is represented by two teams. From the Northwoods, Lakeland Union High School in Minocqua and also Phillips high school will have teams. Regional winners advance to state competition.
