Join UWMT for the 2025-2026 Season!
UWMT is extremely excited to welcome students for the 2025-2026 Mock Trial season! We will be having several informational sessions, for anyone interested in joining our team started in fall quarter of 2025.
If you are interested in auditioning check regularly for updates and join our newsletter where we will give audition updates!
If you are interested in auditioning check regularly for updates and join our newsletter where we will give audition updates!
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.
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 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm and additionally have practices on Saturdays from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.
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 [email protected]. 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 [email protected]. We're more than happy to work with you.