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| Teams from Weston High School and West Hartford's William H. Hall High School faced one another in the mock trial competitions final round at the Connecticut Supreme Court. |
From December 2025 through March 2026, the Connecticut Bar Association hosted a statewide high school mock trial competition that brought together students from across the state to demonstrate their advocacy skills, legal knowledge, and professionalism in the courtroom. Organized under the supervision of the Mock Trial Subcommittee of the CBA Civics Education Committee, the competition began in December with regional trials held in courthouses throughout Connecticut.
Teams that successfully argued both sides of their case in the regional rounds advanced to a statewide playoff tournament, culminating in the championship round between Weston High School and West Hartford's William H. Hall High School. The final round took place on March 19 in the Connecticut Supreme Court, providing students with the unique opportunity to present their cases in the state’s most distinguished courtroom. Avi Mayo of William H. Hall High School shared what the experience meant to her, stating, “Competing in the mock trial finals was an incredible honor that made the entire experience feel real and meaningful.”
The final round centered on a criminal case involving a drug overdose incident, challenging students to navigate complex legal and factual issues. Participants were required to analyze evidence, develop persuasive arguments, and think quickly under pressure during direct and cross-examinations. The experience pushed students to sharpen essential skills such as public speaking, critical thinking, and teamwork. Ananya Rajesh of Weston High School reflected on the challenges of acting as a witness in the case, noting, “I couldn’t just memorize my lines; instead, I focused on understanding my character and the role I played in the case as a whole,” adding that the experience strengthened her ability to think critically and respond confidently in the moment.
Connecticut Supreme Court Chief Justice Raheem L. Mullins welcomed participants at the start of the final round, while Associate Justice William H. Bright, Jr. presided over the trial. Justice Bright praised both teams' performances, emphasizing the high caliber of their work and exclaiming, “the students' level of preparation was phenomenal” and that their advocacy was often comparable to that of experienced attorneys.
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| Weston High School's mock trial team took the title of 2026 High School Mock Trial champions and will advacne to represent Connecticut in the National High School Mock Trial Competition in May. |
Weston High School ultimately won the state championship and will go on to represent Connecticut at the National High School Mock Trial Competition in May. For the team, the victory represents both a significant achievement and an opportunity to compete on a larger stage. As Weston High School’s Cavan Morvillo shared, “Being able to represent Connecticut on the national stage is an honor we do not take lightly… We want to make our school and state proud.”
The Connecticut Bar Association’s Mock Trial Program continues to play a vital role in advancing civics education by giving students hands-on experience with the judicial system. Through months of preparation and competition, participants gain not only a deeper understanding of the law, but also lifelong skills that will serve them in future academic and professional pursuits.