The 3L Mock Trial Competition, held every October, provides third-year students with an unparalleled opportunity to conduct all elements of a civil or criminal trial. Participation in the competition is a prerequisite to selection consideration for membership on the third-year academic National Mock Trial Team. The subject matter of the hypothetical trial alternates annually between civil and criminal law.
Competition Format:
Teams are comprised of two students each. Each team presents an opening statement, conducts direct and cross examinations of witnesses, and concludes with a closing argument. Each team has 40 minutes to make its case, to be used as the team sees fit. Teams alternate arguing sides by the round. After a series of weekly elimination rounds, the event culminates in a final round between two teams.
Role of Attorney-Judges:
Judges preside over two rounds of argument in an evening, providing feedback to the teams, and ranking them on elements of their performances.
Evaluation Criteria:
Teams are evaluated on their ability to present legally persuasive arguments on opening and closing, to elicit helpful testimony from witnesses, and to manage time effectively.
Materials for 2006-2007 Participants:
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