“WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL”

The Michigan Center for Civic Education (MCCE) designed the Mock Trial program to reenact much of what takes place in trial courts. High School students take on the roles of attorneys and witnesses and compete against other schools in real courtrooms in front of real judges and lawyers.  While the students take on roles, there is no set script; as in a debate, participants must adjust to the strategies employed by the opposing side. 

How does the competition work?

The Michigan Center for Civic Education creates the case material and organizes the courtroom competition across the State of Michigan. Mock Trials are exciting activities to teach content and appreciation of our adversarial judicial system. They are designed to reenact much of what might take place in a trial court.

Students take on the roles of attorneys and witnesses and compete against each other in real courtrooms in front of real judges and lawyers. Students interpret legal documents, witness statements, and take on roles and simulate a trial in real life and real time. Participants adjust to the strategies employed by the opposing side. Mock trials draw upon historical events, trials of contemporary interest, school or classroom situations, or hypothetical and entertaining fact patterns to inspire students to think critically and creatively about the law.

 All students are able to participate! The case material is provided to the schools the November 1st and the team begins learning the elements of the case. In December we will begin assigning roles of lawyers and witnesses. The assignment of roles is dependent upon a student’s level of commitment and availability for practices.  Our Attorney coach works with the students to learn the rules of evidence and how to organize their theories for arguing both sides of the case.

Practices run three to four days each week between December and February, and the Regional competition takes place the first Saturday of March at the Macomb County Court building in Mount Clemens.  From 8am-5pm, teams compete against at least 2 (possibly 3) other teams throughout the course of the day. The State competition typically takes place on the third or fourth Saturday in March.

Lutheran High North’s Mock Trial team is grateful for Attorney Jeff May’s coaching and collaboration! 

If you are interested in being a part of Lutheran High North’s team or assisting the students in their preparations for the competition, please contact school sponsor, Ms. Natalie Haupt.