ABOUT THE UCLA MOCK TRIAL TEAM
The UCLA Mock Trial Team is a highly competitive and successful program. UCLA's Mock Trial Team is ranked as one of the top mock trial teams in the nation, having won the National Championship twice and having been a top contender for the national title every year for many years. We are proud of our successes and look forward to many more.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT IS COLLEGE MOCK TRIAL ALL ABOUT?
The UCLA Mock Trial Team participates in a national program governed by the American Collegiate Mock Trial Association (AMTA). A fictitious civil or criminal case is created and presented to all member college mock trial teams in August each year. The national case materials include an indictment or complaint, an answer, witness affidavits, rules of evidence for the State of Midlands (an imaginary state with its own rules of evidence similar to the Federal Rules of Evidence), statutes, case law and exhibits.
Colleges from all across the country compete against each other by representing either the plaintiff/prosecution or defense side of the national case. Participating teams use the same case at invitational and regional tournaments across the nation, leading up to the national championship tournament which is held in April each year. Students are free to employ a variety of strategies and can interpret the case as they wish, so long as they stay within the parameters set by the case presented by AMTA. Each school presents an opening statement, conducts direct & cross examinations of three witnesses and concludes the case with a closing argument. These mock trials are judged by real life attorneys and judges. Student attorneys are expected to be familiar with trial procedures, court decorum, evidentiary objections and proper examination techniques. Student witnesses are expected to portray witnesses in a realistic (and entertaining) manner and must be familiar with their sworn affidavit. College mock trial tournaments consist of four trials. Each team represents the plaintiff/ prosecution in two cases and the defense in two cases. Teams typically learn which side they will be representing just minutes before the beginning of each round of the tournament. Two or three judges score the overall performance of each attorney and witness. At the end of the tournament, all ballots are tallied and awards are presented to the most outstanding teams and individuals.
HOW MANY STUDENTS ARE ON UCLA'S MOCK TRIAL TEAM?
While we consider ourselves to be one united team, UCLA fields four to five separate teams each year – two varsity teams and two or three junior varsity teams. Teams are typically comprised of eight individuals, although pursuant to AMTA’s rules, one team may be comprised of up to ten students. Making the team is extremely competitive. Each year approximately 150 students try out for the team. Approximately 40 students are invited to participate as members of the team.
WHERE DOES UCLA’S MOCK TRIAL TEAM COMPETE?
All of UCLA’s separate teams compete at the UCLA Invitational Tournament, held in January each year. UCLA's teams also travel to invitationals hosted by other universities and colleges all across the country and participate in regional tournaments in February. We recently participated in invitational tournaments in Washington, D.C., New York, North Carolina, Tennessee and Iowa. A maximum of two teams from each college or university can qualify to participate in the national championship tournament each year. We are proud to report that we have had two teams participating in the national championship tournament every year for many years.
HOW MUCH TIME DO MEMBERS SPEND IN THIS ACTIVITY EACH WEEK?
The typical time commitment for all members during the fall is approximately five hours per week. As we get closer to the regional tournaments, the time commitment increases to approximately ten hours each week. We really don’t count the hours though, because the time we spend working on our presentations of the case is both fun and rewarding.
WHAT KINDS OF ROLES DO STUDENTS HAVE?
In each case presentation, there are three attorneys and three witnesses. Attorneys must know the rules of evidence and must be able to present a convincing case brought out through the direct examination of witnesses. Witnesses create characters based on the contents of witness affidavits and must be prepared to respond to questions that are aimed to impeach their testimony on cross examination. Acting ability is crucial, an excellent memory is critical and the ability to think quickly and strategically is an absolute must. Yes, mock trials are a lot like real court trials!
HOW CAN I BECOME A MEMBER OF THE UCLA MOCK TRIAL TEAM?
We hold informational meetings at the start of each school year. Try-outs are conducted in early October each year. To apply, please go the “Join the Team” page of this web site, where you will find directions on how to submit an application, as well as other pertinent information.
You can contact our Faculty Advisor, Professor Gonzalo Freixes at gonzalo.freixes@anderson.ucla.edu
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