Regional Tournament Information
IUP is a member of the
American Mock
Trial Association.
Mock Trial is a
competition between teams of undergraduate students
taking on the roles of attorneys and witnesses in a
simulation of a criminal or civil case. At the beginning
of each academic year the American Mock Trial
Association (AMTA) distributes a fictitious case to all
member teams. In regional and national competitions,
teams compete against each other.
AMTA was originated by
Richard M. Calkins in 1985, while he was the dean of
Drake University Law School. The idea was to give
undergraduate students an opportunity to learn
first-hand about the work of trial attorneys, understand
the judicial system, develop critical thinking and
enhance communication skills. At the first tournament,
held in Des Moines, Iowa, twelve teams from eight
colleges and universities competed.
According to Calkins,
"The goal of college mock trial is not winning. It is to
facilitate the growth of the individual student as a
person able to work with and support others, as a
knowledgeable citizen acquainted with the legal system,
and as a community leader working for the betterment of
humanity. These goals are met when the student
participates at any level of the program. Thus, our
motto is that all are winners in mock trial."
Teams consist of six to
eight students (three taking the roles of attorneys,
three taking the roles of witnesses, and two alternates,
if desired). Schools may enter up to four teams in the
Regional Tournament competition, but a limit of two
teams per school may qualify for the National
Tournament. After registering, teams receive information
about that year’s case. Teams must prepare to argue both
sides of the case, although the same students need not
be attorneys for both sides. Each team will try the case
four times during a tournament, twice on each side.
Being a member of a
mock trial team involves a great deal of time and
dedication, but the experience is well worth the effort.
During the academic year, teams meet once or twice a
week to develop a theory of the case, practice opening
and closing statements, and practice questioning
witnesses.
If you are interested
in becoming a member of mock trial, contact IUP's
Pre-Law Program Director, Gwen Torges.
Mock
Trial at IUP