frequently asked questions
What is college mock trial?
Undergraduate Mock Trial is an intercollegiate competition between schools who are registered with the American Mock Trial Association (AMTA). Over 700 teams nationwide are members of AMTA. These teams compete at invitational tournaments hosted by numerous universities throughout the fall season (see our fall schedule here), and a number of AMTA sanctioned tournaments in the spring.
The goal of intercollegiate Mock Trial is to teach students problem-solving, communication, presentation, and advocacy skills. Each year, teams are provided with a fictional case problem which details either a civil or criminal case. Every case problem includes relevant case law, rules of evidence, and witness affidavits. After a preparing both a defense and prosecution/ plaintiff case, schools travel around the country to represent their respective universities at Mock Trial competitions.
For more information about undergraduate Mock Trial and tournaments, visit the American Mock Trial Association’s website.
How Can I join UGA Mock Trial?
Auditions for UGA Mock Trial will take place September 10th, 11th, and 12th. The audition process begins with our Info Sessions. If you are interested in joining UGA Mock Trial, you must attend at least one of these info sessions in order to sign up for an audition slot. Although we highly encourage attending an info session to learn how UGA Mock Trial works, if you can’t make any of the sessions, please send us an email to sign up for an audition time. After signing up for an audition time you will receive an audition packet, which will contain all the audition instructions and materials. Finally, come ready for your audition on the date you signed up for. Audition results will be emailed to you within a week or so following your audition date. Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions you have about the audition process!
Info Sessions will be held on September 7th and 8th at 7:00 p.m. You only have to attend one of these information sessions to sign up for an audition slot. If you can’t attend either of these sessions, we’ll post a recorded Session online, and you should e-mail ugamocktrial@gmail.com for the audition packet and an audition time.
How much of a time commitment is mock trial?
UGA Mock Trial is a time commitment, but one that can be balanced with other obligations. Members of our Program balance their commitment to Mock Trial with other obligations including: work, internships, school, and commitments to other organizations.
In the fall, Mock Trial typically requires about 6-8 hours per week, and the time commitment can vary in the spring. Practices are typically coordinated around when competitors on each of the five teams are available.
“UGA Mock Trial defined my four years at UGA. Not only did it inspire me to keep pushing towards law school, teach me how to be a better team player and leader, but it gave me some of the best friends I’ll ever make and memories I won’t ever forget.”
Other Frequently aSked questions
Do I have to Audition for the Program in September?
In order to be a member of UGA Mock Trial for the 2021-2022 season, you must audition for the Program in September 2021. If you miss this deadline, but are still interested in learning more about the program, please feel free to reach out to us with questions or requests for our scrimmage schedule.
How Much Does it Cost to be in UGA Mock Trial?
There are dues for both the fall and spring seasons. In the past two years, dues have been no more than $150.00, and we expect them to be the same or lower this fall season. Hotel accommodations are paid for by UGA Mock Trial, and reimbursements are available for money spent on gas during road trips. Competitors are responsible for any airfare and their meals on competition weekends. If you are interested in joining the program but are concerned about the financial requirements, please reach out to us for information regarding payment plans. We would love to have anyone in our Program who is passionate about mock trial, regardless of their financial situation.
Where will I get to travel?
Competitors will travel to tournaments all across the country. To see where we’ve been recently, check out our blog with season updates and tournament locations.
Do I Need Mock Trial Experience to Join?
No Mock Trial experience is required to join our Program. We welcome anyone to audition, regardless of whether or not they competed on a Mock Trial team in high school, or another university. A number of our members joined UGA Mock Trial with no experience. We’ll teach you everything you need to know!
Does Everyone in Mock Trial want to go to Law School?
No! Mock Trial consists of students from every major, all with different aspirations for the future. Members of our Program come from different majors, such as theater, business, journalism, engineering, and psychology.