Immigration is a red hot issue in the United States right now. From the massive protests in Los Angeles, to the debate raging in Congress, nobody has come up with a solution that anybody can seem to agree on. From building a massive wall to reinforcing the border with National Guard troops, none of the solutions have been seen as both effective and fair.

This year’s Moot Court case plays off of that debate. In this case, the specific situation is made up, but the facts and laws involved are real. Here’s the scenario: the federal government has passed legislation requiring state-run police agencies to cooperate with the federal government in finding and reporting undocumented workers. The problem facing participants was this: How much of a state’s resources could the federal government legally take control of?

This year, Franklin High sent 11 students to the competition. These 11 were split into two teams, with Team One consisting of Joanna Burtner, Christian Fong, Torin Jones, Xiaowen Li, and Angela Yu. Team Two’s members were Christopher Castaneda, Amy Edmonds, Andersen Kusumadaniswara, Marcella Martinez, Jennifer Yang, and Jacqueline Zhou. They began meeting in mid-November, in HH8. With Margaret Karl as their coach, and support from attorneys Perry Israel and Molly Arnold, they set to work.

The teams began to meet twice a week after school, for two hours each meeting. Eventually, as the competition came closer and closer, they began to step up the pace, meeting three times a week for three hours a day. The students even held a few meetings over Christmas break.

The competition began on January 23rd, at the Sacramento County Courthouse. This was what everyone had been waiting for.

“The whole concept of arguing in front of judges in a Supreme Court simulation is fun,” said Karl. Because participants in Moot Court have to argue for both sides of the case, preparation is key, as well as being able to focus on what you are doing.

“You have to know the cases… It’s more about your presentation and how well you handle yourself under pressure,” said senior Angela Yu, a two-year veteran of Moot Court.

There was also a lot more to presenting their case than just knowing the facts.

“You have to be really respectful,” said Yu. Franklin High participants addressed the panel of three “judges” as Your Honor, and were always careful in what they said when addressing the court.

Unfortunately, even after months of preparation, neither of Franklin’s teams made it to the finals. Both teams did well, but in the end, they were eliminated. The entire Moot Court season ended on February 1st, bringing to a close the 28th annual Gordon D. Schaber High School Law Program Competition.

Interested in participating in Moot Court next year? Ms. Karl offers her advice.

“Next September, you should read Scholloop news and listen to announcements on the bulletin because I will be asking for students to participate in Moot Court,” she said. Both experienced competitors and first time Moot Court participants are welcome.