Advances to State Finals in May
Ward Meville High School was the winner of the 2026 Suffolk County Regional High School Mock Trial Competition, which took place at the New York State Supreme Court in Central Islip on March 30.
Over 500 students from 32 Suffolk County public and private high schools participated in the 2026 New York State High School Mock Trial Program in Suffolk County. Each team competed in three weeks of Round 1 competition, with the Top 16 teams moving on to three rounds of single-elimination playoffs at the Suffolk County District Court in Central Islip, commencing with the finals on March 30th at the Supreme Court in Central Islip. District Court Judge and Suffolk Academy of Law Dean Eric Sachs presided over the final match between Ward Melville High School and Northport High School.
Ward Melville will advance to the New York State Finals in Albany this May, led by their retired teacher-coach, Doug Elliot, and attorney-coach, Joseph Prokop, Esq.
The New York State High School Mock Trial Program is a joint venture of The New York Bar Foundation, the New York State Bar Association, and the Law, Youth and Citizenship Program. In this educational program, high school students gain first-hand knowledge of civil and criminal law and courtroom procedures. Thousands of students participate each year.
The objectives of the tournament are to teach students ethics, civility, and professionalism; further students’ understanding of the law, court procedures and the legal system; improve proficiency in basic life skills, such as listening, speaking, reading and reasoning; promote better communication and cooperation among the school community, teachers and students and members of the legal profession, and heighten appreciation for academic studies and stimulate interest in law-related careers.
The 2026 Mock Trial case is a criminal case entitled People vs. A. Carmen & Carson Blocker. In this hands-on competition, the teams argue both sides of the case and assume the roles of attorneys and witnesses. Each team competes to earn points based on its presentation and legal skills. “Judges,” usually local judges and attorneys who volunteer their time, score the teams based on ratings of preparation, performance, and professionalism.
While the Mock Trial program is set up as a “competition,” emphasis is placed on the educational aspect of the experience, which focuses on the preparation and presentation of a hypothetical courtroom trial that involves critical issues that are important and interesting to young people.