Course Description
Student teams prepare civil or criminal jury trials under the supervision of a faculty advisor by preparing and presenting pretrial evidentiary motions, opening statements, direct and cross examinations of witnesses, and closing arguments. A student must be selected as a competing advocate who will attend a competition in the semester in which the student registers.
Athena Title
Mock Trial Competition
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall and spring
Grading System
S/U (Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory)
Course Objectives
To develop students’ advocacy skills in the context of presenting a case to a jury on behalf of a client.
Topical Outline
1. Legal research 2. Implementing the federal rules of evidence and procedure through written pretrial motions and/or evidentiary arguments to the court 3. Active listening skills 4. Persuasive and effective oral advocacy 5. Develop theory and theme of a case 6. Complying with courts’ procedural rules 7. Communication and presentation skills to a jury 8. Deference to judges 9. Professionalism toward colleagues and opposing counsel 10. Substantive legal issues specific to each case file
Syllabus
Public CV