Dos Pueblos High School’s Mock Trial team travelled to Philadelphia on Sept. 24 to compete in the Empire Philly: The Constitution Classic, after a string of strong performances.

The team finished third in California state finals earlier this year and won the Empire World competition in 2024.

Alexis Demboski (12) said students on the team typically practice about 12 hours a week, which includes independent preparation, team sessions, witnesses meeting with their directing attorney, and work analyzing the case packet.

Team members received the civil case packet involving a professor, whose contract was not renewed after he spoke at a protest several weeks ago.

This year’s Empire Philly team has significantly less members than last year, due to the graduation of several seniors.

“Last year, I think we took fourteen members, and this year we’re taking only eight,” Demboski said. “We paired the team down quite a bit … but all of us, except the sophomores, went to Philly last year. ”

With fewer mock trial members going to Empire, students are “double-casted” in roles, meaning each member must take on more responsibilities.

“Last year, there was only one person that was double casted and it was as an attorney and then a witness, not doubled as an attorney,” Demboski said.

The Empire Philly civil case is a shift for the team, who normally works on criminal cases during the main season.

“Even though the case is different, they still feel confident and believe that they are transitioning very well into the civil side,” said Hannah Krieshok, DPHS Mock trial coach.

Despite the heavier workload and change in case type, both Krieshok and Demboski said they are feeling optimistic going into the empire competition. Demboski believes that mock trail’s “close knit community” will positively impact their performance.

“I would definitely be happy with the top five finish,” Domboski said. “I think that’s reasonable based on our performance and also, like the teams that we’re competing against this year.”