GREENVILLE- Hundreds of students across the state competed this year in the 17^th Annual Wade Edwards High School Mock Trial Competition. The regional competition took place at nine different locations in North Carolina: Charlotte, Durham, Fayettville, Greenville, Asheville, High Point, Raleigh, Winston-Salem and Wilmington.

"We are thrilled to sponsor the Wade Edwards High School Mock Trial Competition and to have our members participate as coaches, judges and jurors," said Dick Taylor, CEO of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice. "We believe this program provides students with invaluable insight into how our justice system works."

To prepare for the competition, teams worked with teachers and attorneys in reviewing case evidence, courtroom procedure and legal arguments. A panel of legal professionals scored each team based on how well they demonstrate critical thinking skills, public speaking, courtoom demanor and teamwork. Courtoom art and journalism contests will be held in tandem with mock trials. For more program details visit www.ncaj.com and click Public Resources.

The following high schools competed at the Pitt County Courthouse this year:

CamTech High School                              Bunn High School

Greene Central High School                   J.H. Rose High School

Terry Sanford High School                     Dare County Teen Court

Raleigh Charter High School

The top 16 teams will advance to the State Finals to be held at the Mecklenburg County Courhouse on March 21-22, 2009. The winner of the North Carolina State Finals will compete in a national-level competition, the American Mock Trial Invitational, in May 2009.

The Wade Edwards High School Mock Trial Competition is sponsored by the North Carolina Advocates for Justice Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting people's rights.