A Mock Trial is an act or imitation trial. It is similar to a moot court, but mock trials simulate lower-court trials, while moot court simulates appellate court hearings. Attorneys preparing for a real trial might use a mock trial consisting of volunteers as role players to test theories or experiment with each other. In a mock trial normal rules of court are often abbreviated in order to focus on particular parts of the trial. Mock Trial is also the name of an extracurricular program in which students participate in rehearsed trials to learn new skills and compete with each other. At some law schools, the term trial advocacy is used for the program. Various organizations, such as state bar associations, sponsor Mock Trial/trial advocacy competitions for middle school students, high school students, college students, and law students.
Interscholastic mock trials take place on three levels. High-school competitive mock trial has an annual national competition governed by
National Mock Trial Championship, Inc.
and the Constitutional Rights Foundation The competition on the college circuit is governed by the
American Mock Trial Association
.
The college circuit also has an online forum at
Perjuries Mock Trial AMTA Forum
Finally, there is mock trial/trial advocacy at the Law School level such as the National Trial Competition hosted by the
Texas Young Lawyers Association
and the American College of Trial Lawyers.
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