Mock Trial Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mock Trial, and what’s the purpose?
The Utah Mock Trial Program uses competition-based simulations to teach students about the judicial system, trial procedures, and professional responsibility. Students take on the roles of attorneys, witnesses, and other courtroom figures to argue a fictional case and learn real-world skills in public speaking, critical thinking, and teamwork.
Who can participate, and how many students are on a team?
- Teams typically have 7–12 high school students (junior high is also supported). Teams are highly encouraged to have more than 7 students to avoid forfeiting due to unforeseen circumstances.
- Each school can register up to three teams.
- Teams must be able to perform both sides of the case (Prosecution/Plaintiff and Defense) during the season.
Do coaches need to be attorneys?
No. Coaches can be teachers, attorneys, or even parent/community volunteers. Many teams have a teacher coach and may also work with an attorney coach for additional guidance on courtroom rules and strategy.
While the Mock Trial program does occasionally have attorneys who volunteer to coach, teams find they have a better experience with more committed attorney coaches if they recruit the attorney coaches themselves or have a personal connection with them.
When does the season run?
- Team registration: Opens October 1 and closes early November.
- Case release: Varies but is typically at least 6 weeks prior to the start of competition.
- Student registration: Opens early December and closes early January.
- Competition: High school begins late January; junior high begins in February.
- Finals: High school finals are mid-February; junior high finals are early March.
How do teams get the case materials?
Teams receive a link to the case and handbook in December with:
Witness statements
Exhibits
Rules of competition
Simplified rules of evidence
Teams must stick to the case packet (no outside facts or evidence are allowed).
How should we assign roles to students?
Each team covers both sides of the case. Students typically rotate through roles such as:
Attorneys (opening, closing, directs, crosses)
Witnesses (each side has three)
Bailiff/Timekeeper
Coaches often match students’ skills and natural personalities to roles and encourage them to try both performing and presenting roles for growth.
What’s the time commitment?
Teams generally practice 1–2 times per week from December through the season. Each team is guaranteed four preliminary trials, which can be on Saturdays or weekdays (especially for junior high).
Where are trials held?
Most trials are held in real courtrooms in Salt Lake County, but schools may occasionally compete in law schools like University of Utah or other venues like Weber State. Every team will compete in a real courtroom at least once if possible.
What does it cost to participate?
There is one team registration fee of $175 per team. There is no additional fee per student.
What rules of evidence are used?
Mock Trial uses a simplified version of the Federal Rules of Evidence. Students learn to make and respond to objections (e.g., “hearsay,” “relevance,” “leading”) and to follow courtroom procedure.
How are teams scored?
A panel of volunteer judges scores each trial.
Students earn points for presentation, knowledge of case, courtroom etiquette, and advocacy skills.
Teams advance based on win-loss records, ballots, and total points.
What teaching resources are available?
Access to video training and instructional materials that break down each stage of a trial.
The program provides weekly updates and materials, including the handbook and case, schedules, and time cards.
What awards are given?
Team awards: 1st Place, 2nd Place, Semi-Finalists, Quarter-Finalists
Star Attorney & Star Witness awards at each trial
Special awards for courtroom journalists and artists
Rules of Competition
Section IV of the Rules of Competition includes important guidelines specifically for teachers and coaches. This section is a great place to start for understanding how to support your team effectively.
Courtesy of the Indiana Bar Foundation.
- Video of the trial
- Case file to download so people can follow along and have context for the trial video
- Annotations of where in the video each trial element will take place
- Glossary of legal terms.