Is a student required to have any prior mock trial experience?
No. On the first day of the school, each student will be teamed up with two other students to form their three-person legal team. This team will represent either the Prosecution or the Defense in the mock criminal case. Each student will portray both an attorney in their trial, and also serve as a witness in another trial. During The Academy, the students will attend lectures on how to conduct a direct examination, a cross examination, an Opening Statement, a Closing Argument, and all of the other components of a real trial. Additionally, each student is teamed with a Teaching Assistant/Team Leader who is experienced in the rules, procedures and strategies of Mock Trial. After each lecture, the students meet with their Team Leader, to provide each student individualized instruction.
