The Broward County School Board and the Florida Law Related Education Association (F.L.R.E.A) announced Tuesday the results of the Annual High School Mock Trial Competition held February 2nd at the Broward County Courthouse.
Beating out several other teams - including Fort Lauderdale High School and Pine Crest School – American Heritage School faced stiff competition for the coveted prize.
Students from each of the schools argued a simulated criminal case. They conducted opening and closing statements and performed direct and cross examinations. This year's mock trial problem was an aggravated battery case, entitled the State of Florida vs. Regan Buschell.
Coached by Fort Lauderdale criminal defense attorney Eric Schwartzreich and well known Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael E. Gilfarb, they are equally proud of the Heritage Mock Trial Team.
“As always, I am proud of our team,” head coach Schwartzreich told Examiner. “They excel and exceed all of our expectations from winning the State competition in previous competitions to placing in the top 20 teams at the National Competition, to placing in the top 5th in the Empire Invitational, an international mock trial competition held every year in New York City.”
“I have never seen a more tireless, determined, consistent, cohesive group of students,” stated American Heritage program director Nikki Laurie. “Collectively, they have competed in numerous competitions at the county, state, national, and international level, winning these awards and accolades during their years of competition.
"American Heritage prepares these students extremely well,” concluded Schwartzreich, who has coached the team the past seven years. “These are high school students who take classes in evidence, constitutional law and trial advocacy. By the time they get to law school they are incredibly prepared and are truly mock stars.”
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