The Albert Lea High School mock trial program has begun its preparations for this year’s competition. ALHS mock trial is the two-time defending Region 7 champions and finished in sixth place in the 2011 Minnesota Mock Trial Championships last March.

The mock trial program has experienced incredible growth this year as about 40 students in grades 9-12 will participate. That is up from last season’s 23 students. To accommodate this increase, Albert Lea High School will have four teams competing in the program. Coach Neil Chalmers is in his 10th year as the ALHS mock trial adviser. His is assisted by Samantha Klukow and lawyer coaches Natalie Runden, Tamara Murphy and Megan Siebel.

This year’s fictional case, Detective Rook E. Greenwood vs. Chief Billy Durden of the Reillyville Police Department, is a 42 USC §1983 problem related to public employees First Amendment rights of freedom of speech and the use of social media. Rook Greenwood claims that he was wrongfully terminated for posting a comment on a social media website. Chief Durden denies this claim.

The mock trial team wants to thank the Freeborn County Administration and Court Services for the use of the courthouse for practice. A special thank you to the Freeborn County Bar Association and to individuals who have donated generously to the mock trial program through the years.