What we do, how it works, and why it matters.
In preparation for competitions, Skyline Mock Trial meets every Tuesday and Thursday from 3pm-4:30 in Portable 10. At these meetings, the team works collaboratively to analyze a mock court case. These cases are provided to us by the competition organizers, and involve legal principles, stipulations, jury instructions, witness statements, and typically a pretrial motion to be argued.
After a whole team overview of the case, the team is divided into plaintiff/prosecution and defense/respondent sides in order to prepare more specialized case theory. We craft direct and cross examinations, objections, and speeches that we present in real courtrooms against opposing schools during competition. These materials are based entirely on the case that we are given, with each member typically receiving responsibility for multiple pieces of content to write for their side.
When dividing into sides of the case, we also assign roles of which members will be witnesses and attorneys. This decision is made by the executive board through internal tryouts. In addition to collectively reading and analyzing the case, witnesses and attorneys have specialized roles, listed below.
Superlatives, fun stuff, bonding, and mock week.
Opening statements and closing arguments before a live panel — under time limits.
Evidence rules, objection timing, and building arguments from a fact pattern.
Real-time questioning under pressure — no scripts, only strategy.
Mock trial is one of the most distinctive ECs for pre-law and humanities majors.