There's only one difficulty. Neither team will know until an hour before the trial begins whether it will be arguing for the defense or the plaintiff. The toss of a coin will decide it, so students must be prepared to argue either side of the case.
The winner of the mock trial will be announced shortly after the session concludes.
The annual competition is sponsored by the Massachusetts Bar Association. Team members prepare their case from materials developed by the bar association's Community Services Committee, comprised of lawyers, teachers, and students.
Committee members include Rober Thuotte, a Boston lawyer; James Lallas, Fitchburg High School Advanced English teacher and mock trial coach; and Christopher Mailloux, a Fitchburg High alumnus and former mock trial team member who is a freshman at Boston University.
The Fitchburg team is entering its fifth year of competition. The city has won the district chamiopnship three times and last year competed in the state finals.
"We won our case and lost the match," Lallas said. " The outcome of the match is determined, not by the outcome of the case but by the quality or the presentation. For example, a student may have a brilliant opening," he said.
This year, 150 teams statewide will participate in 16 district competitions over the next two weeks. The winning teams will compete in the quarterfinals, and those winners will compete in the semifinals. They will go on to the state finals in Boston.
The case Fitchburg students will argue is fictional, but based on real-life courtroom situations. The scenario is a case of under-age drinking in which a youth died from abusing alcohol at a party. The boy's parents sued the hostess and her parents, claiming they were responsible for their son's death because they supplied the alcohol that resulted in his death.
"While host liability law in Massachusetts is clear regarding adults, it's application to minors has not been clarified. The case, although fictional, raises many thorny questions," Lallas said.
Eighteen boys and girls, veterans and newcomers comprise the Fitchburg High School team. Many joined the team because they are interested in theater, Dayna Mongelli said.
Sarah Coakley, who played a witness last year, this year will be on attorney for the plaintiff and a witness for the defense. Coakley said that playing a part in a mock trial is the toughest acting assignment she has ever undertaken.
"You have to combine so may aspects. You have to improvise while remaining true to the script." Coakley said.
"It's hard to play a part you don't believe in," said Nikki Peters.
In a mock trial students must know their own cases and arguments so well they can state their positions without referring to notes, and quickly respond to arguments from the other side.
These demands require students to exercise analytical and reasoning skills and think quickly on their feet -- challenges which help them in school.
Michael Thibodeau, who is in the advanced placemenet English class, said being on the team has helped him. "In advanced Placement English, we try to analyze books, which is what we do in mock trial."
Students also learn about law and the legal system. They must master tournament rules, courtroom procedure and the rules of evidence, which Lallas said can be technical and difficult.
Taking part in a mock trial an excellent preparation for life, Lallas said. Not only must students learn to critically analyze information, they must also learn to work as a team -- essential to winning their case.
Team member Sean Horrigan agree. "It's proven to be one of the few activities where you have to work as a team. You can't stray off on your own. We do our best work when we are all together."