The University of Alabama’s Mock Trial Team finished in first place as a defense team in the inaugural YMCA Collegiate Judicial Conference and Competition. The mock trial was held at the Alabama State Supreme Courtroom in Montgomery from April 16-18.

Alabama beat out six other colleges and universities from across the state and was awarded the honor of performing as the defense in a Sunday morning mock trial before state Supreme Court Justice Tom Parker, other political leaders and the YMCA Youth in Government staff.

Team captain TJ Gibson said he was honored to be performing in the presence of an Alabama Supreme Court Justice.

“Honestly, it is very intimidating,” Gibson said. “However, the team did very well in keeping their emotions and nerves cool and executing their parts perfectly.”

This year marks the first year the UA Mock Trial Team has competed publicly. February’s American Mock Trial Association competition in Birmingham was the team’s first competition in 2010.

Team member Forrest Williams said the team worked hard, especially over the last two weeks, working nearly every day for hours rehearsing, brainstorming and reorganizing for the trial.

“It was hard work, but it paid off,” Williams said. “[The team’s victory] means that our team has got what it takes to compete and that we can and should aim for an even better performance, at both tournaments, in the future.”

The team’s preparation for the mock trial began long before the competition began.

“In the fall, we had law students from the University Law School come and help us learn objections and courtroom procedures,” Gibson said. “Attorneys had to prepare questions for direct and cross examination. Witnesses had to research terminology for the witness that they acted as. We also had to learn the case inside and out.”

Team member Ebony Smith said her time with the mock trial team has been an invaluable experience. “I have met so many interesting people during the preparation for this competition,” Smith said. “This has really prepared me for what I want to accomplish in the future. The victory means two things to me: first, that we have held up the high academic and championship standards set before us and second, that I am on the right track in my professional career.”

The University of Alabama’s Mock Trial Team is hosted by the Department of Criminal Justice and the Pre-Law Student Association. The team consists of seven students: TJ Gibson, co-captain Mike Gendreau, Emily Brait, Jeslyn Jones, Zita Orji, Forrest Williams and Ebony Smith. Quanda Stevenson serves as the team’s faculty advisor and coach.

Gibson said the team will be taking a small break until the start of summer when they will begin recruiting and setting up competitions for the fall and next spring.

Anyone interested in becoming a member or learning more about UAMT should visit the Department of Criminal Justice and PLSA Web sites or e-mail the faculty advisor at [email protected] or [email protected].