Frequently Asked Questions

Mock Trial is a competitive activity that combines the arts of public speaking, debating, and acting all into one. In Mock Trial, teams simulate a trial requiring them to interpret legal cases, think analytically, speak persuasively, and portray witnesses compellingly. In a competition, teams represent either the Prosecution/Plaintiff or the Defendant and compose opening statements, direct and cross examinations, and closing arguments in line with an overarching case theory. At the beginning of each year, AMTA (the American Mock Trial Association) releases a nationwide case that is used for the rest of the season (it gets big updates throughout the year to spice things up). Seasons usually begin in September and end in April. To prepare for tournaments, team members develop case theories, practice arguments, prepare direct and cross-examinations, and develop witness characters.

The exact tryout process differs year to year and information will be sent to Dartmouth students by email at the beginning of the fall term with specifics. In general, the process consists of a 10 to 15 minute in-person tryout that tests prospective members’ public speaking, critical thinking, and extemporaneous speaking skills.

Public speaking, acting, and critical thinking skills are essential to Mock Trial. Past experience with Mock Trial itself, however, is not a requirement. Many of our members started Mock for the first time here at Dartmouth but gained these skills from activities such as theater, speech and debate, drama, moot court, student government, a capella, or Model UN. Though many of our members are capable of lawyering and witnessing, there are slightly different skill sets applicable to each. For witnessing, creativity, stage presence, and the ability to portray different characters are all great skills to have and develop. To be a lawyer, critical thinking, confidence, and extemporaneous speaking are essential skills. In both roles, the ability to be flexible and collaborate with your teammates is key to success.

No! While we have a few Government majors and future lawyers on the team, we also have members with interests in art, biology, history, sociology, math, and more! Some of our alumni go to law school while others pursue medicine or consulting, among other careers. We also have a strong theater presence on our team, with two team members recently winning the college’s prestigious Frost Dodd Playwriting Prize.

Dartmouth Mock Trial is a big time commitment, but we invest our time in practice and team events because we love our teammates and what we do so much. Our preparation time has increased in recent years, coinciding with our rising success in tournaments. During competition seasons (fall term and winter term), we hold three practices for about two hours each week, with our practice schedule inevitably ramping up before tournaments. We attend one to two invitationals in the fall and two tournaments (Regionals and ORCS) in the winter. Tournaments are many members’ favorite part of Dartmouth Mock Trial. There’s nothing better than traveling, living, and competing with some of your closest friends! Competitions solidify our knowledge of Mock Trial and allow us to test our skills against some of the best teams in the country. During both competition and non-competition seasons, Mock socials happen at least once a week because, frankly, we can’t stay away from each other. We also hold weekly team dinners and office hours where leaders provide extra help to other team members.

Most of the format of high school Mock Trial remains the same in college, although there are some differences. The AMTA case packet is lengthier than a high school case packet, with additional exhibits, longer affidavits, orders on motions in limine, and more witnesses to choose from. The Rules of Evidence are also more complex and the arguments are more sophisticated in a college trial. Opening and closing arguments are also longer, at a combined 14 minutes. The witness selection process is also different. While in high school the case packet provides a permanent set of witnesses per side, in college one witness can be called by either the Prosecution or the Defense and others are side-constrained. This allows for more interesting and dynamic trials. Even those with experience in high school find college mock trial as, or even more, exciting. The structure of college mock trial is as follows: In the Fall, Invitationals are held by individual mock trial programs. Those not hosting Invitationals attend them as a way to practice against other programs without any real consequences. Then in about February, teams meet for Regional Competitions. Only the top teams from Regionals advance to the Opening Round Championship Series (ORCS). ORCS is the qualifier for the National tournament. Those top teams at ORCS—you guessed it—compete at the National tournament for the title of AMTA Champion.

Yes, we welcome new members from older classes as well. No matter your class year, if you have what it takes and you want to contribute to the team, we want you!

No. The D-Plan can sometimes complicate our team’s schedule but we want our members to prioritize opportunities for learning and exploration during their off-terms and terms abroad. While we encourage members to try to be on campus for as many competition terms as possible (winter term especially), there is no penalty for missing a term to go do new and exciting things!

Hi there past Mockstar! We’d love to hear from all of you! We appreciate any and all help you are willing to share. If you would like to reach out to the current Exec Board, please email mock.trial.society@dartmouth.edu and we will get back to you ASAP. And as always, feel free to reach out to current team members through familiar channels. We look forward to getting in touch soon!

Hey there! Thanks for thinking of us. If you would like to scrimmage us, please send us a quick email with relevant info at mock.trial.society@dartmouth.edu and we will do everything we can to set something up. Good luck with your season!