Mock trial definition
Mock trial means what it suggests -- a pretend trial. Opposing teams of typically two students are given facts, documents, witness names and testimony, often from an actual case. All law schools have mock courtrooms. In that courtroom, which resembles an actual courtroom, upperclassmen, lawyers, sometimes actual judges preside. Opposing teams call witnesses, introduce evidence, conduct a facsimile of a trial. They are judged on opening and closing statements, ability to conform to rules of evidence in qualifying exhibits for admission into evidence, direct and cross examination of witnesses, making appropriate objections to testimony and evidence, providing legal justification therefore, etc. Because knowledge of rules of evidence is necessary, and evidence law is normally a second year subject, mock trial competitions are not usually open to 1Ls.