Tottenville High School Mock Trial Association

Empire City Invitational Returns for a Second Year
The addition of the CheongShim International Academy from
South Korea turns the Empire into international spectacle

3.19.08 - The Empire City Invitational will return for a second year, announced Justin Matarrese, coach of the Tottenville High School Mock Trial Team. The invitational will be held on October 10-12, 2008 at the United States District Court, Eastern District of New York. The tournament plans to host between 28-32 teams, including two squads from South Korea. Mr. Matarrese confirmed that the CheongShim International Academy has agreed to compete in the tournament, making the Empire the first international mock trial invitational in the history of New York State. For more information about the tournament, please visit the invitational section of the website.

Pirates Take First Two, Ranked 1st in City
Tottenville defeats two of New York City's finest

Team poses for a photo after its Round 2 victory.

3.6.08 - He was nervous. He was anxious. He was tense. Tottenville High School Coach Justin Matarrese had every right to be. His team had the luck of drawing two of New York City's top mock trial programs in the first rounds of competition: Sheepshead Bay and St. Joseph Hill. "We have played these programs multiple times in the last few years, but in the late rounds," commented Matarrese, "they are always great and they always come prepared". Yet despite the incredible competition, the Pirates picked up their first two victories of the year, hoping to erase the painful loss that was still fresh in their memories. "It was really tough what happened to us last year," said team captain and senior Michlle Cuozzo, "we weren't sharp and faced a great team... we don't want to let that happen again". Read more.

Mock Trial is an extracurricular activity which provides students the opportunity to compete on a statewide level. Students learn first hand about the work of trial attorneys, understand the judicial system, develop critical thinking and enhance communication skills. Tournaments consist of trials between prosecution (or plaintiff) and defense teams. Each team consists of 6-12 members, six of whom will actually compete at any given time (three as attorneys, three as witnesses). Each trial focuses on a single case which governs competition for the entire year, alternating annually between a criminal or civil legal issue. The New York State High School Mock Trial Competition has been coordinated since its founding in 1983 by the New York State Bar Association's Law, Youth and Citizenship Program, or LYC.

For more information please visit the About section.

I want to go into business, and really have no interest in the law,
but mock trial was awesome... a lot of fun... good times... and
helps you a lot for life... join.
-David Gindin, THS Mock Trial Association '06

Listen to people who have lived through it... Mock Trial is a lot more then just an extra curricular activity -

I heard about Mock Trial from a friend...it was an amazing experience. I improved my public speaking skills, learned legal procedure and even became a better actor. My most promising memories and friends have been because of Mock Trial.
-Steven Kanjo, THS Mock Trial Association '05

The THS Mock Trial team may seem like just a few high school kids working together to win a competition, but we're much more than that. Not only do we train almost incessantly, but we develop life-long friendships, flawless character, and of course, an indestructible work ethic along the way. I will never forget what the THS law and advocacy program has done for me.
- Abel Thomas, THS Mock Trial Association '06

I did Mock Trial because I heard from other members what a great experience it was... it turned out to be better then I expected. I made many new friendships, learned a lot about the legal system, and even more about British accents!
-Danny Subkhankalov, THS Mock Trial Association '06