Anyone with even a moderate addiction to reruns of "Law and Order" can comprehend the attraction of a mock trial.

This weekend, two high school mock trial teams from the PG East region will travel to Harrisburg to compete for the state championship.

Woodland Hills recently outscored teams from about 30 other high schools to win the Allegheny County title for the second year in a row and third time overall.

Richard Stanczak, department chair of Woodland Hills' gifted programs, is in his 14th year as coach of that team, which finished third in the state in 2007. Attorneys Jamie Glasser and Lena Henderson are advisers.

Greensburg Salem is the reigning champion. In fact, it has won the state title the past three years, and the Westmoreland County crown the past 10.

Ken Bissell, who teaches the mock trial class, and retired teacher Judith Washburn are the coaches. Judge Richard McCormick is an adviser.

The state competition will take place at the Dauphin County Courthouse and will be presided over by a judge. The winner will represent Pennsylvania in the nationals in May in Wilmington, Del.

A mock trial competition goes like this:

Participants come prepared to assume various roles on the prosecution and defense sides of a criminal or civil case. Depending on the role, students are scored on opening and closing statements, and questioning of witnesses. Team members also portray defendants and witnesses.

Students assuming attorney roles are judged on qualities such as poise, clarity, persuasiveness and knowledge of the rules of evidence.

Criteria for direct or cross examination include control of the witness and effectiveness. Defendants and witnesses are graded on how realistic and credible they are.

All 12 teams competing in Harrisburg will come prepared to dramatize a fictional criminal case concerning the kidnapping of a high school senior. The fictional defendant is the adult sponsor of an after-school club.

Interesting cases -- if not "ripped" from the headlines, then surely influenced by them -- are the hallmark of mock trial competitions. The National High School Mock Trial Championship -- marking its 25th anniversary this year -- has an engaging list of past cases, even one dreamed up by detective novelist Tony Hillerman.

National competition cases have ranged from historical events such as lawsuits involving the collapse of the dam that led to the 1889 Johnstown flood and the 1975 wreck of the oil carrier Edmund Fitzgerald, to fabricated events such as the murder of Elvis and voter tampering in Louisiana, complete with "hanging chads."

Mr. Stanczak said his mock trial team attracts a variety of students -- some who want to be lawyers, as well as those who simply enjoy public speaking and exercising their powers of reasoning.

At least two of his students have gone on to become attorneys.

"Win or lose, they gain so much from the experience," said Mr. Bissell of Greensburg Salem. "They have to think on their feet, and they feel the power of playing a role in an adult situation."

The Greensburg Salem team includes: seniors Christen Casale, Danielle Cook, and Lauren Basl; juniors Kayla Pickett and Avery Sell and sophomores Gabrielle Ahrens, Claire Stewart and Rachel Wright.

Woodland Hills' team members are: seniors Ryan Fanelli and Aaron Weiss; juniors Cassidy Adkin, Megan Bullen, Gina Del Rio, Naytasha Fletcher, Peter Rodrigues, Matthew Stoffregen and Nathan Thiem; sophomore Stephen Baker; and freshman Ellen Bachy.