Mock Trial

Open to all public and private high schools in Massachusetts, the Mock Trial Program is a rich curriculum that promotes the development of fundamental knowledge, sound judgment and critical thinking skills. In Mock Trial, students are placed in a simulated courtroom situation where they assume the roles of lawyers and witnesses in a hypothetical case.

Every year, members of the MBA are needed to serve as coaches and judges for the Mock Trial Program, in which thousands of high school students across Massachusetts prepare a hypothetical case and then test their skills as lawyers and witnesses in a simulated courtroom competition.

Teachers and students:

Visit www.massbar.org/mock to learn about the Mock Trial program from the inside out. The site covers the following topics:

• Philosophy and rules;
• Mock Trial tips;
• Hall of champions;
• Mock Trial newsletter;
• Mock Trial photos;
• National championship info;
• Video sales; and
• Sponsorship.

Attorneys and judges: Learn how to get involved in local Mock Trial teams

As a Mock Trial judge, you will attend an orientation session and will be scheduled to preside over a trial in a courtroom near your home or office. Each trial lasts approximately 2 ½-3 hours. You may volunteer to judge as little as one trial, although many judges prefer to judge more.

As an attorney coach, you will be matched with a teacher coach at a nearby school and will serve as the team's legal advisor. Some attorney coaches attend two to three team meetings throughout the year, to assist the team in developing their basic strategy and courtroom techniques, while others play a more active role in the team - accompanying them to each trial.

• To read more about the role of Mock Trial volunteers, click here.
• To read about other volunteers' experiences in Mock Trial, click here.
• To read about the program in greater detail, visit Mock Trial Central at www.massbar.org/mock: a separate Web site dedicated to the Mock Trial Tournament.

The MBA's Mock Trial Program is generously supported by the law firm Brown, Rudnick, Berlack & Israels LLP and the Massachusetts Bar Foundation.

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