Holy Trinity Students Set to Present in Mock Criminal Trial as Part of Florida Tech Dual Enrollment Law Class

Mock trial will be held at the Moore Justice Center in Viera on April 27

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Nine Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy 11th and 12th-grade students have been in intense preparation during the past few weeks to participate in a mock trial experience at the Moore Justice Center in Viera on Tuesday, April 27.

The students will have the unique opportunity to present a simulated criminal trial that will be presided over by a retired circuit court judge and a jury consisting of Holy Trinity students who will deliberate and render a verdict.

This mock trial experience is part of a dual enrollment “Intro to Law” class made possible by a Florida Tech professor teaching on the campus of Holy Trinity.

“The Florida Tech Intro to Law class exposes students to concepts that they might encounter in law school,” said Florida Tech visiting teacher, Dr. Tiffany Loris, Esq.

“They get experience, reading, analyzing and briefing cases in a variety of legal areas.  This gives them an opportunity to improve their critical thinking and communication skills with an emphasis on challenging legal issues that are relevant to current events.”

The “Intro to Law” class is a course designed to help students understand the legal system in the United States. Students study the historical foundations of U.S. law through primary sources, such as the original drafts of the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution and the Federalist Papers.

“The course examines the structure and functions of contemporary law in the U.S. and introduces students to legal principles, theories, and vocabulary, and explores a variety of legal careers, including criminal, marital and family law, intellectual property, and others,” said Nicki Hensley, Director of Marketing and Communications at Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy.

“Students learn how to read and analyze legal opinions, with an emphasis on notable U.S. Supreme Court opinions and will participate in an interactive mock trial experience. Finally, students then participate in the mock trial.”

Prior to joining the Florida Tech faculty, Dr. Loris coached the mock trial team at Palm Bay High School, her alma mater, from 1996 to 2004, and was a member of the FSU College of Law Mock Trial Team while she attended law school there.

This is the first time this class has been offered by Florida Tech on the Holy Trinity campus.

For more information about the Intro to Law class or other program offerings at Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy, visit www.HTAcademy.org

Holy Trinity now accepting applications for the 2021-2022 school year, and we encourage you to explore our website to learn more about our outstanding academic programs, inspiring faculty and all that happens beyond the bell.

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