Advisor: Jeff McEvoy
The Massachusetts Bar Association’s Mock Trial Program offers high school students, from across the state, an opportunity to test their skills as lawyers and witnesses in a simulated courtroom competition. Throughout the competition, students learn about the fundamentals of the American judicial system and how it can impact their lives.
In Mock Trial, the Massachusetts Bar Association creates a set of facts that students must utilize to formulate their case. Using witness affidavits, courtroom exhibits, and legal precedents, students put together their case. Students create opening statements, direct and cross examination questions, possible objections, and closing arguments to convince the presiding judge to rule in their favor. The judges, often courtroom lawyers from the area, use rubrics created by the Massachusetts Bar Association to evaluate the performance of the team. The rubrics assess the logic, quality and delivery of the argument, and courtroom etiquette of the participants.
