Truman State University Mock Trial Team
About Us
The Truman State University Mock Trial program currently has two competitive teams of about seven students each. The teams consist of students from all ages and majors. The teams meet a few times a week to practice and usually attend two or three tournaments a semester.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is mock trial? Collegiate mock trial consists of teams of six to eight students. Three have the roles of attorneys and three have the roles of witnesses. Teams are also allowed two alternates. Lawyers are responsible for direct and cross examination questions for one witness and making objections. Opening and closing statements will also be made by two of the lawyers. Witnesses are responsible for playing one or two characters. This includes being in character for direct and cross examinations. Each teams must argue both sides of the case provided for the competitive season.
What is a tournament like? Each team will usually try the case four times during a tournament, twice on each side. Teams are judged on how well they handle the case materials, objections, examinations and speeches. Judges are usually law students or local lawyers. These judges rank the attorneys and witnesses accordingly assigning points. The team with the most points wins the round. Individual awards are given to best witnesses and best attorneys. Each trial proceeds in the following order:
Plaintiff/Prosecution Opening- 5 minute speech by one attorney
Defense Opening- 5 minute speech by one attorney
Plaintiff/Prosecution's case: 3 witnesses are called, directed by their attorney, and then cross examined by the other team's attorney
Defense's case: 3 witnesses are called, directed by their attorney, and then cross examined by the other team's attorney
Plaintiff/Prosecution Opening- 5 minutes
Defense Opening- 5 minutes
Plaintiff/Prosecution's case: Their 3 witnesses are called, directed by their attorney, and then cross examined by the other team.
Defense's case: Their 3 witnesses are called, directed by their attorney, and then cross examined by the other team.
Plaintiff/Prosecution Closing- 9 minutes
Defense Closing: 9 minutes
Plaintiff/Prosecution Closing- 9 minute speech by a different attorney than gave the opening
Defense Closing: 9 minute speech by a different attorney than gave the opening
There are then comments from the judges for the round.
Are there requirements to join mock trial? There are no requirements to join. Students from all majors are welcome. We have members from a variety of majors ranging from Political Science to Biology to Communication. Introductory meetings and try-outs are held at the beginning of each Fall semester.
Where does the case come from? The case used for the tournaments is published yearly by the American Mock Trial Association (AMTA). It is released at the beginning of the fall semester and AMTA makes changes to the case throughout the year.
To learn more, please visit Truman's Justice System's homepage or the American Mock Trial Association's website.