Mock Trial

Mock Trial competitions are sponsored and administered by the American Mock Trial Association. Each team receives similar case materials at the beginning of the season to use to prepare for upcoming competitions. Included in the materials are case law, witness statements and rules of evidence. Each team must prepare both sides of the case (e.g. prosecution and defense in a criminal trial).

For each trial, six team members – three attorneys and three witnesses – attempt to portray their respective side of the case. The lawyers give opening statements, conduct direct examinations of their own witnesses and cross examinations of the other team’s witnesses and present closing arguments. There are two judges who score the teams on the quality of the presentation of each attorney and witness The winner of the trial is not determined by the merits of the case (e.g. whether the judges would have convicted the defendant or not), but rather on the quality of the presentation.

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Phil Kronebusch, Political Science, Simons 148, [email protected]