Mary Dailey, a 2L University of Houston Law Center student, practices her cross-examination skills at a mock trial hosted by UHLC’s Criminal Justice Clinic.
UH Law’s Criminal Justice Clinic Director Joshua Lake and Clinic Law Clerk Taylor Daugherty (J.D. ’23) brought courtroom realism to class by role-playing as witnesses for the mock trial.
Nov. 14, 2025 — Students in the University of Houston Law Center’ Criminal Justice Clinic, recently participated in a hands-on mock trial exercise to develop one of the most essential skills in criminal law— cross-examination.
Led by Clinic Director and Professor Joshua Lake, the exercise challenged students to think on their feet, adapt to witness behavior, and apply techniques learned in class. Over six 30-minute rounds, each student took turns questioning witnesses for a fictional criminal case. Lake and Taylor Daugherty (J.D. ’23), a law clerk who supports the clinic, alternated roles as Ceasar Guzman, a drug courier turned police informant, and Officer Brown, the lead investigator who arrested Guzman’s associates.
The mock case involved a drug operation run by the Chavez brothers, whose network transported narcotics from Mexico to Houston. Students received a detailed police report outlining arrests, evidence, and a recovered ledger. They then prepared and conducted cross-examinations tailored to each witness.
“The big goal was to give them a chance to put into practice what they’ve been learning,” said Lake. “Cross-examination is an important skill that criminal lawyers use all the time—it’s a fundamental part of trial work.”
The Criminal Justice Clinic, one of nine UHLC legal clinics, provides pro bono legal representation to low-income individuals while giving UH law students hands-on experience in criminal defense under faculty guidance. With support from the BeyGOOD Foundation, funded by musician Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, the clinic extends its mission beyond the classroom by providing free legal education and representation to low-income communities near UH.
