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"We the Students" National High School Moot Court Competition |
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Congratulations to Winners of the National High School Moot Court Competition!!
Michael Harris: Petitioner
(North Hollywood High School)
&
Rathna Ramamurthi: Respondent
(Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology)
On March 29-30, 2008 the Washington College of Law will host the Ninth Annual "We the Students" National High School Moot Court Competition. The Competition takes place in Washington, D.C. and offers high school students, from across the nation, a unique opportunity to meet other participants while developing their advocacy skills in front of area law students, practitioners, and judges.
The Moot Court Honor Society is proud to welcome Final Round Judges:
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Judge Irma Raker, Maryland Court of Appeals
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Judge William Cave, Retired, Sixth Circuit Court of Maryland
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Senator Jamin Raskin, Maryland State Legislature
2008 Problem: A "Ruff" Policy - Drug Sniffing Canines
Mimicking a national trend, amphetamine abuse is on the rise in the community surrounding Rockefeller High School. In response, Rockefeller High School has adopted a new program to enforce the school's controlled substance policy, that includes random searches of students using drug detecting canines. When the trained dogs alert to three students during the first (and only) round of canine sniffs the students file a class action suit claiming the dog sniffs are illegal and unreasonable searches in violation of the Fourth Amendment.
- Joint Stipulated Facts
- Trial Court Opinion
- Appellate Court Opinion
- Writ of Certiorari
- Petitioners Brief
- Respondents Brief
* We will accept clarification questions regarding the problem via mootcourths@gmail through February 15th with responses posted by February 22, 2008. Please include "Clarification" in the email subject line. Good Luck!
Clarification Questions & Answers:
- What type of relief are the petitioner's seeking?
- In their initial complaint, Plaintiffs sought injunctive relief preventing any future searches using the sniffer dogs in this manner, as well as declaratory relief recognizing a violation of students' Fourth Amendment rights.
- Were there merely complaints of damage to clothing and belongings as a result of the dog sniffing or was there actual damage?
- The complaints were well-founded, there was actual damage to students' school supplies and clothing
The Fourth Amendment
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Additional Resources
- Fourth Amendment Search and Seizure
- The Fourth Amendment
- Student Searches
- Supreme Court Cases
- Read about last year's Winner!
Registration Information - Registration Closed
Registration for the 2008 National High School Competition is now closed. Please join us next year for our 10th Annual Competition. Any questions regarding registration can be sent to the e-mail address below.
- Online Registration
- Competition Bylaws
- Photo Release Form (required for registration)
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Tenative Lodging Information
- Directions to WCL
If you have questions or would like further information regarding this competition and how to register, please e-mail competition directors DeNisha Watson and Parker Thoeni at mootcourths@gmail.com or call us at 202.274.4401.
Check back frequently for problem and Competition updates!
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Download mp3 audio from the 2006 competition.
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| From left: Jawanna Davis (top respondent), Stephen Wermiel (judge), Brittany Boveri (finalist), Lucas Habte (finalist), Olivia Nguyen (top petitioner), Jamin Raskin (judge), and Addy Schmitt (judge). |
