The Eau Claire County courthouse was home to numerous attorneys, witnesses, and judges Saturday, all debating over a negligent homicide case.

But the kicker? These "professionals” were only high school students, competing in a mock trial regional tournament.

Kelsey Pickard said, "I really like objecting."
Colleen Bruce said, "I like the speaking and watching the cases go on."
Nellie Bruce said, "I like hearing what judges have to say."

These kids were just a few of the dozens of local high schoolers who put their legal knowledge to the test Saturday.

The 14 mock trial teams all received the same case back in October. And according to a local attorney, it's been all work since then.

Rita Raihle said, "The kids have to be prepared to try both sides."

Rita Raihle says the teams "try" four cases in a day. Each case is judged on a one through ten scale. And the team with the most points at the end of the day wins and moves on.

Nellie Bruce said, "Most of the points come from your knowledge of the case, how many objections you do, if you did the right ones, how you look, if you are confident."

For participants, knowing the case isn't the most daunting part of the day, it's the courtroom.

Kelsey Pickard said, "It's not really like being on television, how they show it on television. It's nerve wracking."

Nellie Bruce said, "It's actually a lot smaller than I thought they were. Not very many benches, it's still pretty intimidating.

And while some participants aren't interested in going into a law profession, Eau Claire County and volunteer mock trial Judge William Gabler, says just giving young people a behind the scenes look is important.

Judge William Gabler said, "The purpose of mock trial is for young people to see and understand how the civil and criminal justice system works."

The 14 teams are still competing to see who will move on.

The winner of the regional in Eau Claire will head to Madison for the state tournament in March.

The winner of there gets to compete in front of Wisconsin's Supreme Court Justices.