Cyrus Carter and the Moot Court Experience
Jessica Zimmerman (OU) November 13, 2021
Friday was the first official day of the Moot Court Competition. Early in the morning through lunch time, it was common to see competitors pouring over notes and adding finishing touches to their arguments. Sen. Cyrus Carter (TU) is one such competitor. After completing his Friday round, he talked about this year’s case and the overall structure of the competition.
This session’s competition centers around a case about a polio vaccine mandate. Competitors were given seventeen precedent cases to base their arguments off of regarding both the Commerce Clause and the Due Process Clause.
Carter gave a brief rundown of the case.
“There’s this guy, and he’s named Charles Adams. He lives by himself…essentially not involved in society that much…he still has several ways of getting with people.”
The question is whether or not this man should be required to get the Polio vaccine.
Competitors must be prepared to argue as both the respondent, representing Washington State, or as the petitioner, representing Adams.
This session’s case clearly mirrors the recent controversy over COVID-19 vaccines. Carter saw this as a positive aspect to the case.
“I think it’s good because it educates people. Obviously, my personal political opinion [is] I think that people should get the vaccine,” Carter said.
Since so many people have such strong opinions on this issue, Carter expressed the value he found in learning to state the reasons behind his beliefs.
As a freshman, Carter also appreciates the valuable experience of getting hands-on practice regarding law.
“I did a semi-law internship that was fully online,” he said. “I haven’t gotten a full on courtroom experience.”
Moot Court provided him with this opportunity.
“I just want to do my best to show them and myself that I am somewhat capable, if I do want to get into law, of actually succeeding.”
The competition is intimidating.
“Yesterday I was nervous. I forgot the procedure,” Carter said. This procedure is a big part of the competition. After the opening statement, competitors cannot use personal pronouns. Eye contact, mannerisms, and tone of voice are all important factors to presentation.
“[The justices] interrupt you midtalk,” Carter said. “I couldn’t even get to my due process argument cause they asked so many questions.”
Carter found several strategies to overcome the immense pressure. He put it into perspective, recognizing that he is there to see if law is something he is interested in pursuing. He also figured out that all of the competitors are in the same boat.
One thing that helped, he said, was “just realizing this guy is freaking out just as much as I’m freaking out”.
No matter who wins Moot Court, everyone who participates deserves recognition for the hard work and courage it takes to compete.