This spring, students from the AHS Boca/Delray nationally recognized mock trial team, accompanied by other students from the Pre- Law Society, switched from opening statements and direct examinations to appellate briefs and oral arguments. Beginning in early March, students worked in pairs to write eighteen page appellate briefs with each student arguing a specific legal issue arising from the state mock trial case. This year’s issues included the constitutionality of a police stop and search of a student’s vehicle based on an anonymous tip and the constitutionality of a mandatory-minimum sentence for juveniles. In total, American Heritage Boca Delray submitted six briefs, more than the two previous years combined. Teams consisted of sophomore pairs Caroline Rapp and Madison Levy, Charles Suarez and Nelson Urdaneta, and Alyssa Samberg and Luke Haber; junior partners Luke Morris and Kelly Smith; and junior-sophomore duos Alexa Hammer and Ryan McCurry, and Emma Perez and Devin Barkey.
After a week of nail biting, it was announced that Emma Perez and Devin Barkey, Luke Morris and Kelly Smith, and Alyssa Samberg and Luke Haber would advance to the second stage of the competition, oral arguments in front of appellate court judges. In preparation, the students traveled to the Fourth District Court of Appeal on April 8 to watch oral arguments and then speak with Judge Warner, Judge May, and Judge Levine about the art of oral argument. Then, on April 15, the three teams ventured to Daytona to watch Alyssa Samberg and Luke Haber argue in front of the Fifth District Court of Appeal. The next day, pairs Luke Morris and Kelly Smith and Emma Perez and Devin Barkey presented in front of the Fourth District Court of Appeal.
Early April 19, the team of Emma Perez and Devin Barkey was chosen as one of the only 4 petitioner teams in the Florida to advance to the State Finals in Tallahassee on April 28 and 29, where they would face 4 respondent teams. Only 8 schools from the entire state made it to the Final Rounds. After another week of intense preparation and questioning from coaches Ani Porter and Kelly Harris, the team, accompanied by Mrs. Porter and Alyssa Samberg, flew to Tallahassee early on 28, and argued in front of the First District Court of Appeal that afternoon. After, the students had the opportunity to explore the Florida State University campus before having dinner with the other 7 teams. The next day, the two final teams argued in front of the Florida Supreme Court with all seven justices sitting. After forty minutes of argument, the teams took pictures with the justices before Justice Pariente took them on a behind-the-scenes tour of the justices’ conference room, the robing room, and her personal office. For hors d'oeuvres and the awards ceremony, the students walked to the Governor's Club where they had the chance to speak personally with Chief Justice Ricky Polston and Justice Jorge Labarga. As State’s Finalists for oral arguments, Emma Perez and Devin Barkey each received a lady justice trophy. They also received the Best Brief Award, making their brief the best among over 150 briefs submitted this year. Happy to return home the 2012 Best Brief Award, junior Emma Perez and sophomore Devin Barkey are even more determined to return next year and take home the first place trophy for oral arguments as well.
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