MTSU Mock Trial

Mock Trial is a student organization that teaches the central proceedings of trial courts through a competitive trial simulation. In mock trial, students play the roles of lawyers and witnesses within a fictional court case. The team from one school portrays the prosecution/plaintiff side of the case using their own attorneys and witnesses, and the team from another school portrays the lawyers and witnesses from the defense side of the case. Students portraying attorneys must question witnesses, make arguments and objections, and enter evidence throughout the trial. The students portraying witnesses must act out interesting and credible characters while being questioned by attorneys from both sides. During competition, trial rounds are judged and scored by practicing attorneys and judges. The scoring panelists determine a winner of each round by scoring team members’ performances and providing constructive feedback.

Participants learn to prepare and deliver opening statements and closing arguments, direct and cross-examinations, and learn how to argue evidentiary objections. Students also become familiar with more subtle aspects of trial work such as courtroom appearance and demeanor.

Mock Trial is an excellent opportunity for MTSU students interested in law school. It is also a good opportunity for any student who is interested in a career that involves contact with lawyers, such as corporate finance and compliance, health care, labor relations, law enforcement, or corrections.

Mock Trial is both a class and a team. You do not have to be enrolled in the course to participate, but if you want credit, you can take the PS 2100 course which is 1 credit hour per semester. Counts for EXL credits. You also do not have to compete. Contact Mock Trial if you would like more clarification.

MTSU Mock Trial is open to all majors. You do not have to be a PGA student or Pre-Law major to join.

A message from Mock Trial: Thinking about law school? Get some experience to see if it’d be a great fit. Want to improve your public speaking skills? This is a great program for you! Did you do theater in high school? We’d love to have you. Mock Trial develops and hones a wide variety of skills that is applicable all across life. You can join MTSU Mock Trial by registering for PS 2100: Legal Courtroom Procedure for one hour of course credit (The class may be taken up to four times for a total of 4 credit hours). If your schedule is full, we’d still love to have you. Fill out this interest form and we’ll contact you about signing up!

The MTSU Mock Trial student-led team maintains a website of their own which can be found here (https://mtsumocktrialcom.wordpress.com/about/).

The MTSU Mock Trial student-led team maintains a social media presence which can be found here (@mtsumocktrial).

The faculty member for Mock Trial is Professor David Himmelreich (david.himmelreich@mtsu.edu). The faculty advisor for the student organization is Professor David Trowbridge (david.trowbridge@mtsu.edu).

The President of Mock Trial is Annabelle Hillis (arh2bp@mtmail.mtsu.edu).