Mock Trial
Mock Trial is an innovative, engaging and often life-changing civic education program that combines performance-based, law-related education with tournament-style, academic competition. High school students, working in teams under the guidance of coaches and teachers, analyze the facts of a hypothetical criminal court case, prepare trial strategy and enact every role in the trial proceedings, either as members of the prosecution or defense. The teams present their cases in real courtrooms before sitting judges and are scored by volunteer attorneys. Approximately 1,000 high school students from over 35 local high schools annually participate in the Mock Trial Orange County program that also includes courtroom art and journalism contests. Winners go on to compete at the regional and state level.
Students develop an understanding of and appreciation for the American judicial system, the rule of law and their rights and responsibilities as citizens. The program builds self-confidence and develops important life skills, including critical thinking, analytical reasoning, effective communication and teamwork. Students learn the importance of following rules and a code of ethics. Importantly, they are provided with the unique opportunity to interact one-on-one with positive adult role models, including prominent legal practitioners.
As the CdM team must provide all witnesses, lawyers, the bailiff and the clerk. Team members are assigned roles based on interest, ability and the best fit for the overall presentation of the case. The final decision for roles rests with the advisor with input from the volunteer attorney-coaches. The team also competes in the court-art and court-journalism competition related to the case.
Students develop an understanding of and appreciation for the American judicial system, the rule of law and their rights and responsibilities as citizens. The program builds self-confidence and develops important life skills, including critical thinking, analytical reasoning, effective communication and teamwork. Students learn the importance of following rules and a code of ethics. Importantly, they are provided with the unique opportunity to interact one-on-one with positive adult role models, including prominent legal practitioners.
As the CdM team must provide all witnesses, lawyers, the bailiff and the clerk. Team members are assigned roles based on interest, ability and the best fit for the overall presentation of the case. The final decision for roles rests with the advisor with input from the volunteer attorney-coaches. The team also competes in the court-art and court-journalism competition related to the case.
Moot Court differs from mock trial, as moot court usually is a simulated appellate or arbitral case, while a mock trial usually refers to a simulated jury trial or bench trial. Moot court does not involve actual testimony by witnesses, cross-examination, or the presentation of evidence, but is focused solely on the application of the law to a common set of evidentiary assumptions to which the competitors must be introduced. The Moot Court case is released in the summer and students will need to start preparing then as the competition is in October. For Moot Court the team is divided into smaller teams of 2-5.