ALBA Students Continue Win-Streak in Street Law Mock Trial Competition

From left to right, back row: Mr. Ryan Storms (Street Law instructor), LaBraye Franklin (9th grade), Mr. Francisco Vidal (Street Law instructor), Josh Mendelson (9th grade), Mr. Mark Hoskisson (ALBA English teacher), Mr. Burton Skomal (ALBA SPED assistant); front row: Honorable Judith F. Hayes (San Diego Superior Court), Edgar Arribeno (9th grade), Mario Cecena (9th grade), Ms. JoAnne Johnson (ALBA Street Law coordinator), Brandon Lopez (9th grade).

0On April 16, 2012, ALBA Community Day School at North Park participated in the bi-annual Street Law Mock Trial Competition. The Mock Trial Competition is a court role-playing activity wherein teams from area high schools prepare a case and conduct a trial, complete with a judge, jury, prosecutors, defendants, and witnesses.

The Honorable Judith F. Hayes, San Diego Superior Court Judge, presided over the April 16th competition between ALBA and Hoover High School. The jury found for ALBA’s prosecution team, giving the school its third straight Street Law Mock Trial Competition victory. Judge Hayes also recognized two ALBA 9th grade students, LaBraye Franklin and Brandon Lopez, issuing them the outstanding advocate awards.

This year’s Street Law Competition was held at the downtown San Diego Superior Courthouse in front of a jury of four adult community members. Mr. Ryan Storms and Mr. Francisco

Vidal, students from Thomas Jefferson School of Law, served as instructors, teaching the five-member team of ALBA students for ten weeks, guiding them through a rigorous preparation and selection process.
Mr. Alex Simpson, staff attorney at California Western School of Law and Street Law Program Coordinator, indicated that he was very impressed with ALBA’s consecutive win streak. He stated that the Street Law program is really

geared for ALBA students, giving them a unique opportunity to positively interact with our country’s legal system. Ms. Joanne Johnson, ALBA ROP Career and Life Management teacher and on-site Street Law coordinator, appreciated the dedication of the Street Law instructors and explained that ALBA’s success is because of a school-wide commitment to the program.

“All of the teachers see the value in Street Law,” stated Ms. Johnson. “We serve a unique population of students that really need a positive experience with the justice system.” Outstanding student advocate Brandon Lopez commented, “It felt pretty natural.” In his role a lead prosecutor, he conducted the opening statement as well as direct and cross examinations of the witnesses.

Brandon, who plans on going to San Diego State University, further reflected, “It was fun learning how to be a litigator, how to respond to a judge. I would recommend Street Law to any high school student.”
For more information about Street Law, contact Mr. Alex Simpson at ajs@swsl.edu or 619-515-1525. For more information about ALBA Community Day School, contact principal R. Vernon Moore at rmoore@sandi.net or 619-293-4468.