Mock Trial is a Sport of Knowledge
Mock Trial is a re-enactment of a court case. Every year, each Mock Trial team across the state is given a case created by the State Bar Association, and regulated by professional lawyers and judges. The case is usually based on a real-life court case and can be a criminal or civil case.
The case book contains the affidavits of six witnesses. Three of the witnesses are on the side of prosecution (or plaintiff depending on whether it is criminal or civil) and the other three are on the side of the defense. Members of the Mock Trial team can choose to portray the witness or the attorney for that witness. This results in a attorney/witness pair for each witness, meaning each team has 12 people. There is also a bailiff and a timekeeper for each team.
The job of the witness is to portray their character as accurately as possible, meaning that good acting is key. The witness also needs to make sure their affidavit is memorized so they can be prepared for any questions.
The attorney has three main jobs. The first is to use their witness to prove parts of the case that helps their side, and detriments the other. Then they must cross examine a witness on the opposing side and do the same. Finally, they must either give an opening statement, a closing argument, or deliver the pre-trial matters. The attorney needs to be able to think quickly on their feet and have an all-encompassing knowledge of the case.
The bailiff's job is to swear in the witnesses. The timekeeper monitors the time taken by direct, cross, opening and closing to make sure that neither team goes over the time limits. These are not positions you choose, but anyone who is not currently competing could be the bailiff or timekeeper.
The more you know, the better. The more you know about the case and the way the court works, the better prepared and equipped you are to present your side's argument better than your opponent's.
The case book contains the affidavits of six witnesses. Three of the witnesses are on the side of prosecution (or plaintiff depending on whether it is criminal or civil) and the other three are on the side of the defense. Members of the Mock Trial team can choose to portray the witness or the attorney for that witness. This results in a attorney/witness pair for each witness, meaning each team has 12 people. There is also a bailiff and a timekeeper for each team.
The job of the witness is to portray their character as accurately as possible, meaning that good acting is key. The witness also needs to make sure their affidavit is memorized so they can be prepared for any questions.
The attorney has three main jobs. The first is to use their witness to prove parts of the case that helps their side, and detriments the other. Then they must cross examine a witness on the opposing side and do the same. Finally, they must either give an opening statement, a closing argument, or deliver the pre-trial matters. The attorney needs to be able to think quickly on their feet and have an all-encompassing knowledge of the case.
The bailiff's job is to swear in the witnesses. The timekeeper monitors the time taken by direct, cross, opening and closing to make sure that neither team goes over the time limits. These are not positions you choose, but anyone who is not currently competing could be the bailiff or timekeeper.
The more you know, the better. The more you know about the case and the way the court works, the better prepared and equipped you are to present your side's argument better than your opponent's.