Contributed bythe SC Bar

High school students from across the state will compete this Saturday, February 26, in the SC Bar district mock trial competitions held in Columbia, Greenville, Charleston and Myrtle Beach. The competitions are sponsored by the SC Bar Law Related Education (LRE) Division. The Midlands competition will be held at the Richland County Judicial Center at 1701 Main St. in Columbia from 8:30 a.m to 4:30 p.m. The participating high schools in the Midlands competition include Dutch Fork High School in Irmo; Fort Mill High School in Fort Mill; Lexington High School in Lexington; Mid-Carolina High School in Newberry; Richard Winn Academy in Winnsboro; Ridge View High School in Columbia; Strom Thurmond High School in Johnston; Richland Northeast High School in Columbia; and Spring Valley High School in Columbia. Students will present the plaintiff and defense sides of a case before a panel of local volunteer lawyers. Students will also fill the roles of defendant, witnesses, and bailiff. Each team will be judged on its presentation skills rather than the legal merits of the case. The district winners will advance to the state competition March 11-12 at the Lexington County Courthouse in Lexington.