LEWISTON — Lewiston High School’s mock trial is one of four remaining in the annual statewide competition.

On Thursday, Lewiston students in the roles lawyers and witnesses will face Hampden Academy in the semifinal in Portland, said Lewiston social studies Michelle Crowley, who is the mock trial coach.

Hampden Academy won the state title last year against Lewiston, which finished second. The other semifinal teams are from Sanford and Bonny Eagle high schools.

To get to the semifinals Lewiston had to beat three high schools. The first was Lake Region in Naples; the second was Brewer, which had to forfeit because they had students out sick with H1N1 flu, Crowley said. Lewiston also defeated Ellsworth.

Students are assigned the same fictional case to defend and prosecute. This year’s case is the State of Maine vs. Casey Campbell, a high school student charged with attempted murder for placing a bomb at the school he attends. In the fictional case, the bomb does not go off; it is discovered and disarmed.

There are 15 students on Lewiston’s team; seven are seniors. Students put long hours into the competition, Crowley said. “The first day of school, we get the case, then we dive right into it.” Team members juggle a lot, Crowley said.

Maame Bonsu, a senior, is a member of the indoor and outdoor track teams, is on the speech team, is taking a Bates College course through Early College and teaches karate. Nimal Eames-Scott sings for Diaboli Musicae, Lewiston’s a cappella group, the chamber singers and the Boy Singers of Maine. Eames-Scott is also a member of the environmental club, and serves on the senior class executive board.

One judge and two lawyers have been volunteered to mentor Lewiston students. They are District Court Judge Valerie Stanfill, Darci Beaudin of Skelton, Taintor and Abbott, and Jodi Nofsinger of Berman and Simmons.

Students who get involved in mock trials gain a knowledge of Maine law and court procedures, public speaking and confidence, Crowley said.

“They’re challenged a lot,” she said. “They really have to think on their feet. When they leave this competition and go on to other classes, they have so much more confidence.”

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Lewiston High School’s mock trial team will face off against Hampden Academy on Thursday in Portland for the state semifinal competition. The two other high schools in the competition are Bonny Eagle in Buxton and Sanford. Members of Lewiston’s team, pictured above from left to right, are Hannah Fazio, Conroy LeBlond and Matt Beauparlant.