Recruitment for the 2023-24 season has concluded
Our program holds tryouts once a year every autumn quarter. UWMT has concluded their tryouts for the 2023-24 season. If you would like to try out for the 2024-25 season, please check this page again next fall for information on how you can tryout for the team.
What Is Mock Trial?
Mock trial is exactly what the name implies; a simulation trial based on a fictional scenario provided by the American Mock Trial Association. You will still work within the framework of the United States federal rules of evidence, this year’s scenario is a civil case about a plane crash.
Each simulation will last around 2 hours, divided between 4 parts:
Each team brings 3 attorneys and 3 witnesses
Each simulation will last around 2 hours, divided between 4 parts:
- Opening statements
- Prosecution case in chief
- Defense case in chief
- Closing statements
Each team brings 3 attorneys and 3 witnesses
- The attorneys are divided by speech, so you will not have to give both an opening and a closing statement in a single round
- In competition, you will be judged by those in the legal profession. You will have the chance to meet (and potentially network with) attorneys of various disciplines as well as judges who preside over real cases in their day to day
- You will have the opportunity to develop, hone, and flex public speaking skills that will be useful outside of the legal field
- Plenty of our current and past members (as well as our coaching staff!) have no interest in pursuing a career in the legal field
Attorneys
Opening and closing statements are roughly 5-7 minute speeches, with closing speeches being on the longer side. These speeches are your chance to speak directly to the jury, and are a more traditional form of public speaking.
Attorneys will also question witnesses when they take the stand. Each attorney performs 1 direct examination and 1 cross examination per mock trial.
Attorneys will also question witnesses when they take the stand. Each attorney performs 1 direct examination and 1 cross examination per mock trial.
Witnesses
Witnesses perform a character based on pre written materials from AMTA, where attorneys practice more formal speaking skills, witnesses will be practiced in more theatrical skills.
On direct examination you will be asked questions by an attorney on your team. This is a chance for you to tell your side of the story and present favorable evidence the way you see it.
Cross examination is the most directly adversarial part of mock trial. You will be asked questions by an attorney from the other team, and you must defend yourself without simultaneously incriminating yourself.
If you are unsure about which role you would like to take, don’t worry! You’ll have the chance to both witness and attorney over the course of the season.
On direct examination you will be asked questions by an attorney on your team. This is a chance for you to tell your side of the story and present favorable evidence the way you see it.
Cross examination is the most directly adversarial part of mock trial. You will be asked questions by an attorney from the other team, and you must defend yourself without simultaneously incriminating yourself.
If you are unsure about which role you would like to take, don’t worry! You’ll have the chance to both witness and attorney over the course of the season.
Time & Financial Commitments
We regularly practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6-8pm; practices on Saturdays from 10am-1pm can be expected, but this is often played by ear.
In the week before a tournament, practice is held from Monday-Thursday from 6-8pm.
When we travel, you will only be responsible for covering your own airfare and food, we will cover lodging. Some tournament venues do also provide meals, but don't always count on it.
If you have an issue covering your own expenses or with class/work schedules, feel free to contact us at uwmocktrialclub@gmail.com. We're more than happy to work with you.
In the week before a tournament, practice is held from Monday-Thursday from 6-8pm.
When we travel, you will only be responsible for covering your own airfare and food, we will cover lodging. Some tournament venues do also provide meals, but don't always count on it.
If you have an issue covering your own expenses or with class/work schedules, feel free to contact us at uwmocktrialclub@gmail.com. We're more than happy to work with you.
Tournament Schedule
At this time we have 5 tournaments scheduled, with updates to come!
Regionals is direct elimination, following regionals is ORCS and the National Championship. ORCS is typically held in March where Nationals is normally held in late April.
- Emerald City Open, hosted by the University of Washington (November 18-19)
- Thornhill Throwdown, hosted by the University of Portland (December 2-3)
- UCLAssic, hosted by UCLA (January 13-14)
- Slo-Town Hoedown, hosted by CalPoly (January 27-28)
- Seattle Regionals, hosted by AMTA/University of Washington (February 17-18)
Regionals is direct elimination, following regionals is ORCS and the National Championship. ORCS is typically held in March where Nationals is normally held in late April.