FAQ
As the name implies, a Mock Trial is
a pretend trial between two teams. The teams of 6-8 people represent either the prosecution
(plaintiff, in a civil case) or the defense. In an Intercollegiate Mock Trial tournament, each team represents both sides twice.
Each team delivers an opening statement,
questions witnesses from both sides, and then delivers a closing argument.
Real-life judges, attorneys, and law-school
students judge the trials. To find out more, click
here.
-
Back to Top -
- We have fun!
- As a Mock Trial team, we present our side of the case as
best we can. In witness roles, we try to play the role of the
character convincingly and realistically based on affadavits provided with
the case. It's fun to act out different characters:
tweaking their personalities, choosing costumes, etc.
Our mock attorneys try to act like real attorneys as they build
the case, fight legal battles, and argue the facts.
- Back to Top -
It really depends on the person and the role. Some people find that
acting as an attorney entails hard work, but that playing a witness
is easy. Other people find that it's the opposite. Either way, when we
work together as a team, the work is far from overwhelming.
-
Back to Top -
To prepare for competition, we have practices and meetings.
Generally, we meet once a week for 1-2 hours in preparation for cases at times
determined by each others' schedules. During the week or two preceding a tournament,
we meet twice to prepare. Don't worry;
we make allowances for each other's schedules.
Mock Trial tournaments require the biggest time commitment. We generally
participate in 1-2 tournaments in the Fall and 3-4 tournaments in the Spring.
For tournaments, we generally leave early Friday morning and get back Saturday afternoon.
We miss all our Friday classes, but the absence is excused by the
University. Professors are happy to move exams, due dates, etc,
if necessary.
-
Back to Top -
AMTA-member schools from across the United States host invitational tournaments.
We usually compete in tournaments in our area. For example, we compete in cities like
Kansas City, MO, Columbia, MO, Dubuque, IA, and Lawrence, KS. We also compete
at the AMTA regional in Topeka, KS. If our team is
successful in Topeka, we earn a spot in one of the three national tournaments held in
St. Petersburg, FL, Des Moines, IA, or Richmond, KY.
-
Back to Top -
No. Any Creighton undergrad is welcome to join the Mock Trial team.
Although any experience in drama, mock trial, law, or public speaking is a plus, the
Mock Trial Class will help
you excel in college Mock Trial, even of you have no previous experience.
-
Back to Top -
If you are thinking about a law-related career, joining the MT team
is a good way for you to get some experience. MT will give you feel for what it is like to be a lawyer or judge.
Overall, MT is a good experience that can
help prepare you to succeed in the many careers related to the legal system.
To find out more, click
here.
-
Back to Top -
Even if you are not interested in a law-related career, Mock Trial is still a fun and rewarding experience.
Mock Trial is not all about lawyers and arguments. The witnesses are equally as important as the attorneys.
The team always seeks people who love drama and acting.
Excellent portrayal of witnesses is a crucial part to winning the competition, and is rewarded often with awards.
If you like TV legal shows, you will
enjoy participating in pretend trials. Pre-med students are also great to take on medical expert witness roles.
-
Back to Top -
We're excited that you want to join! Visit the
Join page before the middle of the Fall
semester.
-
Back to Top -
If you have more questions about the CU Mock Trial Team, send us an
e-mail.
We also welcome any comments or suggestions.
Thanks!
-
Back to Top -
PREVIOUS: MT Classes