The American Mock Trial Association
What is Mock Trial?
Mock Trial is a competitive intercollegiate extracurricular activity where a team performs the roles of attorneys and witnesses in simulated court cases. In competition, one university's prosecution competes against another university's defense, and vice versa. Mock Trial helps to develop communication, public speaking and critical thinking skills. Members of a mock trial team also learn real courtroom procedure and become experts in the Federal Rules of Evidence. During a round, each side presents an opening statement, three witnesses, and a closing argument during the three hour trial. We are judged by attorneys and judges from the local area who volunteer their time.
The fall is dedicated primarily to becoming familiar with the case material and witnesses, reviewing mock trial etiquette and participating in invitational tournaments around the nation. In February, Regional Tournaments are held with roughly twenty teams per tournament competing for bids to the National Championship Tournament hosted by the American Mock Trial Association (AMTA).
A total of sixty-four teams from around the country compete at the National Championship Tournament in April. The 64 teams are divided into two fields of 32 teams. Each team competes in four power-matched rounds. The top team in each field competes in the final round to determine the National Champion.
Michigan Mock Trial
Michigan Mock Trial is a 100% student run organization that competes as a part of the American Mock Trial Association. Members work together to improve public speaking, communication, critical thinking, and logical reasoning skills. This past year Michigan Mock Trial had its most successful year in 7 years. For the second straight year (and only the second time in the history of the program) Michigan Mock Trial sent two teams to the National Championship Tournament. Michigan's top team finished in a 3-way tie for third place in the Parker Division. According to the American Mock Trial Association (AMTA), the University of Michigan will enter 2007 with the 15th ranked team in the country. For a more extensive description of Michigan's success over the years click here (PDF 72.6 KB).
Michigan Mock Trial, however, is not exclusively a competition organization. We are also a social organization. During the year we plan numerous social activities including: bowling night, movie nights, team dinners, theme parties, and much more. Members on the team develop close friendships that last even after they graduate.
Join Michigan Mock Trial
We invite anyone who is interested in Mock Trial to come tryout early in the fall semester. For more information about joining the team please visit the prospective members section of the website.