Join Stanford Mock Trial

The teams for the 2009-2010 season have been selected. If you want to learn more about mock trial, please contact us.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need experience to try out for Mock Trial?
No! We welcome all undergraduates regardless of experience. If you did mock trial four years in high school and are looking to continue, great. If you've never done any sort of public speaking at all, also great! We will teach you everything you need to know about public speaking, courtroom procedure, and the law. During tryouts, we attempt to evaluate your potential to become a supportive member of our team, not the amount of experience you have.

How does mock trial work?
Each year the American Mock Trial Association (AMTA) produces a fictional case, either civil or criminal. We present the same case at every tournament, twice on each prosecution or plaintiff and defense. Each side has three attorneys, who give speeches and conduct examinations, and three witnesses, who testify. Mock trial combines elements of public speaking, acting, and knowledge of the law. For more information, see the About Page.

Is Stanford Mock Trial competitive?
As an organization, yes. Stanford sends teams to the top tournaments in the nation, and we expect our members to perform competitively. Check out the Results Page for more information on our successes. Within the team, we maintain a friendly environment. Team members often hang out together outside mock trial, which is one of the best aspects of our program.

What kind of a time commitment is mock trial?
To maintain Stanford's success as a program, we expect members to put in a significant amount of work. Teams meet for a couple of hours every week (usually twice in the evenings). When tournaments are coming up, we will meet more frequently. Excelling at mock trial takes a lot of work, but it's worth it!