About Us
What is Mock Trial?
Mock Trial allows students to learn about U.S. law and improve their oral advocacy skills through studying a given civil or criminal case, developing an argument, and participating in rehearsed trials against local schools in court.
At mock trial competitions, you and your teammates will go up against other high school teams to either defend a wrongly convicted citizen or attempt to bring justice to the world by putting a criminal in their rightful place. Acting as either a lawyer, witness, balliff, or clerk, you and your team will present your argument and try to convince a judge why they should rule in your favor.
At mock trial competitions, you and your teammates will go up against other high school teams to either defend a wrongly convicted citizen or attempt to bring justice to the world by putting a criminal in their rightful place. Acting as either a lawyer, witness, balliff, or clerk, you and your team will present your argument and try to convince a judge why they should rule in your favor.
How does this club work?
Castilleja's Mock Trial team meets on Wednesday nights from 6pm to 8pm. We also have a variety of fun team bonding sessions throughout the year.
Our timing is very flexible to fit the needs of each and every member of our club so that everyone can participate and contribute in their own way.
Our timing is very flexible to fit the needs of each and every member of our club so that everyone can participate and contribute in their own way.
Time Commitment
Depending on your role in the club, dedication will vary. All students are encouraged to attend as many meetings as possible, but we understand that everyone's schedules have different limitations. All levels of commitment are optional for those not required to attend. The more the merrier! :) We highly encourage all teammates to participate in bonding activities too!
Going from least to most time commitment, roles include:
Going from least to most time commitment, roles include:
- Bailiff: Swears in witnesses. Smaller commitment.
- Above commitments & attending all competitions where your presence is needed, attending final preparatory sessions before invitational and competition
- Court Clerk: Keeps track of time, and alerts lawyers to how much time they have left. Smaller commitment.
- Above commitments & attending all competitions where your presence is needed, attending final preparatory sessions before invitational and competition
- Witness: Memorizes a statement of facts and goes on stand to answer questions about the statement. Character development and acting, improvisation.
- Above commitments & attending at least 2-3 after school meetings per month
- Attorney: Delivers statements to the court and judge, questions witnesses, argues objections.
- Above commitments & attending all after school meetings
- Pretrial attorney: Goes up against judge, lots of thinking on your feet.
- Opening Attorney: Delivers speech at start of trial. Also acts as a regular attorney. Memorized, so theatrical/passionate public speaking.
- Examination Attorney: Presents team’s argument via direct and cross examinations. Lots of quick thinking.
- Closing Attorney: Delivers improvised speech at end of trial. Also acts as a regular attorney. Public speaking and improvisation.
- Above commitments & attending all after school meetings