Law
The Center for Public Policy at LCS is designed to allow students to engage with the legal system through unique coursework, interactive opportunities, and an award-winning Mock Trial Team.
The Lakeland Christian School RISE Institute dedicates time and energy to an extensive law program. Throughout the year, the Center for Public Policy hosts events to engage with important local members of the judicial community, organizes field trips for younger students, and provides many specialized course options for interested high school and middle school students. Through the Center for Public Policy, the LCS Mock Trial Team participates in regional, state, national, and international mock trial competitions throughout the year.
HIGH SCHOOL MOCK TRIAL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
2021 marked the first year, as State Champions, that the High School Mock Trial team competed at Nationals, among teams from 46 states.
Round 1
Round 2
Round 3
Round 4
What is Mock Trial?
The Florida regional and state mock trial competitions are hosted by the Justice Teaching Center for Civic Learning. Each year, the JTC provides a fictional court case that is then prepared for trial by students, who must prepare both the plaintiff and defense of each case. Students act as the attorneys and witnesses in trial, delivering opening statements and closing arguments and participating in direct examinations with teammates as well as cross examinations with the opposing team.
The LCS Mock Trial Team has competed in the Florida Mock Trial State Competition for 7 consecutive years and has had the privilege of competing in the Empire International Competition.
2019 Gladiator Competition
During the summer after her senior year, Abby Branham earned the honor of attending the elite Mock Trial Gladiator World Championship, where she placed first and earned the title of Best in the World.
Each year, the Gladiator competition is made up of a collection of the best Mock Trial competitors, chosen as individuals from teams who have won at the county, state, and national levels. These one-on-one competitions are extremely difficult; teammates and coaches can help in preparations, but once the competitor enters the court room, he or she has no co-counsel.
The Gladiator competition consists of four rounds of trial. The competitors play each role once: prosecutor, defense attorney, prosecution witness, and defense witness. Judges and juries score them based on their performances in each role. The two highest-scoring competitors square off as attorneys in the championship round where the winner is crowned with the title of Best in the World.
This prestigious title is bestowed alongside an iconic trophy of a gladiator helmet. In 2019, Abby was the first competitor from outside of the host state of California to claim the title. Abby’s Championship helmet remains on display in the Mock Trial practice room and law classroom at Lakeland Christian School.
Classroom to Courtroom Field Trip
At this annual field trip, elementary students have the opportunity to tour the local courthouse, learn from talented legal professionals, and interact in a mock trial experience through RISE’s From Classroom to Courtroom program. Senior Abby Branham initiated the From Classroom to Courtroom program to provide young students with a positive first experience with the American judicial system. By moving students from their traditional classroom desks to the seats of a jury box in a real courtroom, the Law Program enables fifth-graders to experience first-hand the criminal justice system and meaningfully engage with it. This experience is designed to leave them with a positive view of the legal system, and it comes complete with interaction with legal professionals and beloved storybook characters alike.
This extraordinary field trip opportunity operates in collaboration with the State Attorney’s Office of the Tenth Judicial Circuit, members of the Tenth Judicial Circuit bench, and courthouse bailiffs employed by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. This unique experience has been a highlight for both the members of the high school mock trial team that runs the From Classroom to Courtroom program and the elementary students who participate each year.
2018 Law Day Celebration
May 1st, 2018 marked the 60th annual Law Day, as well as the inaugural celebration hosted by Lakeland Christian School. Members of the local legal and judicial community intermingled with LCS law students, celebrating the support and generosity provided to mentor the next generation of legal professionals. Members of the LCS Mock Trial Team were honored for their sterling performance and professionalism at the State Finals by Erin Watson, director of the Mock Trial program in Florida. Florida Supreme Court Justice Charles Canady spoke about the role of the separation of powers in promoting balance in government and rule of law.
Interested in a class?
We offer an extensive selection of dual-enrollment classes that provide students with knowledge and experience about the judicial system. With such a wide range of classes available, interested students often find themselves a different class every semester starting their Sophomore year and continuing through their Senior year.