South Seminole Academy’s Law Studies Program advanced eighth-grade course, Street Law, serves as the school’s Mock Trial Competition Team. The team is participating in the Florida Middle School Mock Trial Competition, hosted by the Justice Teaching Center for Civic Learning at Florida Southern College. The competition began with the release of official case materials in October 2025, and the final recorded mock trial submission is due by March 1, 2026. The Mock Trial Team is coached and sponsored by Mrs. Walsh, South Seminole Academy’s Law Studies teacher. Team members prepare for the competition during their fourth-period Street Law class and will record their performance in the school’s courtroom.

In October 2025, students were provided with official case materials that served as the foundation for their mock trial. After reviewing the materials, students carefully annotated key information to assist in developing arguments, testimony, and supporting evidence. In November, students were assigned to either the plaintiff or defendant legal team and given specific courtroom roles. Each team consists of twelve members, including three attorneys, with an alternate attorney for each position, and three witnesses, each with a designated backup. Attorneys are responsible for delivering opening statements, closing arguments, and conducting direct and cross-examinations of witnesses. As the competition approached in the months leading up to February, students collaborated within their teams to create mind maps and argument maps to stay organized and ensure consistency in their case strategies. For the recording of the final video submission, attorneys are permitted to use bullet-point notes only, while witnesses must rely solely on their memorization of their witness affidavits and may not use notes during their testimony.

This year’s mock trial is based on a negligence case between Collymore Wildlife Preserve, Inc., the plaintiff, and Holk Farms, LLC, the defendant. Negligence is defined as a failure to exercise reasonable care, resulting in harm to others. To prevail in a negligence claim, the plaintiff must establish four essential elements: duty, breach of duty, causation, and damages. The case centers on allegations that fertilizer runoff from Holk Farms caused an algae bloom that led to environmental damage and the death of animals at the Collymore Wildlife Preserve. Using this case, students develop detailed notes, prepare legal arguments, and perform a full mock trial that is recorded and submitted as a video entry for the competition.

Participation in the mock trial program at South Seminole Academy helps students prepare for future careers by providing them with an authentic understanding of courtroom procedures and the legal process. Through this experience, students gain confidence in their ability to analyze cases, present arguments, and think critically in a trial setting. South Seminole Academy’s Service House emphasizes community involvement and civic responsibility, and the ability to advocate for and protect the rights of others is an essential skill in the legal field. The mock trial program offers students a meaningful opportunity to develop these skills while engaging in hands-on, real-world learning.