Mock Trial - Idaho Law Foundation

Mock Trial Program

The Idaho High School Mock Trial Competition, sponsored by the Law Related Education Program, teaches students in grades 9-12 about the law and the legal system by participating in a simulated trial. The program provides an opportunity for students to learn about the law and the legal system; for teachers to work closely with attorneys to reinforce legal concepts in their classrooms; and for attorneys to share their expertise about the law and their legal skills.

In addition to the Competition, the Law Related Education Program also supports the Mock Trial in the Classroom Project to expose students who do not participate in the competition to the benefits of the Mock Trial Program. For questions about the Idaho High School Mock Trial Competition or the Mock Trial in the Classroom Project, contact Carey Shoufler at (208) 334-4500 or cshoufler@isb.idaho.gov.

About the Mock Trial Competition

Mock Trial Competition Mock trial teams consist of 6 to 9 students, a teacher-sponsor, and an attorney-coach. Each participating junior high (9th grade only) or high school can sponsor up to 2 teams. A team will use its members to play different roles when presenting either the plaintiff or defense case, but the same students must participate in BOTH plaintiff and defense.

Teams register for the competition beginning in October. Once registered, teams receive case materials starting November 15, which include: a fictitious case that will be used for both regional and state competitions, the Rules of Competition & Procedures, and Simplified Rules of Evidence.

The main roles of the teacher-sponsor include: 1) Selecting the student team members; 2) Partnering with the attorney-coach to help students learn the facts of the case and create strategies for trial; and 3) Making logistical arrangements for the team to participate in a regional and, if qualified, state competition.

The main role of the attorney coach is to provide an attorney’s perspective on the case through: 1) Becoming familiar with and teaching the mock trial materials 2) Helping the team develop trial strategies for both the prosecution and defense.

Each team competes in one of three regional competitions. In regional competitions, each team competes in three trials. 12 winning teams from the regional competitions will move on to the state competition in Boise where all teams participate in four trials over two evenings. Four teams move on to the semi-final rounds and two teams to the championship round.
To help teams participate in the Idaho High School Mock Trial Competition, the Law Related Education Program offers the following support and incentives:

Assistance recruiting an attorney-coach
Training and orientation sessions for teams
Meals and snacks at the state competition
Lodging and some transportation costs for teams who qualify for the state competition (NOTE: The Law Foundation will pay for buses that travel from either Northern Idaho or Eastern Idaho to Boise, but if teams decide not to travel on the Foundation provided buses they will need to pay for their own transportation)
If possible, a stipend for the team who wins the state competition to help pay for participation in the national competition
Reduced or waived fees for teams having difficulty paying for registration (upon team request)
Experienced coaches can serve as mentors to less experienced coaches
Pair teams for scrimmages prior to competitions
A referral discount to encourage teams to help us recruit new schools to participate; each team may receive 25% off of their registration fee for each new team they recruit, up to a total of 4 team

2013 Mock Trial Information Sheet

Mock Trial Registration

Mock Trial Competition 2 Mock trial teams consist of 6 to 9 students, a teacher-sponsor, and an attorney-coach. Each participating junior high (9th grade only) or high school can register up to 2 teams by filling out and returning the Idaho High School Mock Trial Competition 2013 Registration Form.

Courtroom Artist Contest

This year the mock trial competition will include a Courtroom Artist Contest. Artists will submit sketches that depict actual courtroom scenes. Artists from schools who don’t have mock trial teams may register up to two participants per school. Schools with mock trial teams may enter one student per team. While a courtroom artist can be part of a team, he or she may not play any other role on the mock trial team. For more information about the Courtroom Artist Contest see the Courtroom Artist Information Sheet & Registration Form.

Mock Trial in the Classroom

Mock trial has proven to be an effective learning tool for students at all grade levels. Some elementary and middle/junior high schools choose to expose their students to mock trial before they reach high school age, when they are eligible to compete in the Idaho High School Mock Trial Competition. Some high schools like the benefits of mock trial but are unable to participate in the Competition.

For schools who would like to utilize the 2012-2013 mock trial materials in their classrooms, the Law Related Education Program will supply these materials to your school, free of charge. To receive your materials fill out and return the Mock Trial in the Classroom 2012-2013 Registration Form.

2013 Mock Trial Dates

Friday, October 5, 2012: 2013 Mock trial registration for teams and courtroom artists begins
Thursday, November 15, 2012: 2013 case materials published (MUST BE REGISTERED TO RECEIVE MATERIALS)
Saturday, December 15, 2012: Early registration deadline
Thursday, January 31, 2013: Regular registration deadline
Thursday, January 31, 2013: Late drop deadline (to receive deposit refund)
Saturday, March 2, 2013: Regional competitions in Caldwell and Blackfoot
Saturday, March 9, 2013: Regional competitions in Lewiston
Wednesday to Friday, March 20 to 22, 2013: State competition in Boise
Thursday to Saturday, May 9 to 11, 2013: National Competition in Indianapolis, IN

Mock Trial Volunteers & Donations

The Idaho High School Mock Trial Competition relies on the generosity of volunteers and donorswho contribute time and money to ensure the continued success of the Mock Trial Program. The mock trial program needs attorneys and non-attorney community members to serve as coaches, judges, and competition support. Community members interested in volunteering can fill out our Online Volunteer Form.

People interested in making a donation to mock trial may access a donor form on make an online donation.

For more information about volunteering for or making a contribution to the Idaho High School Mock Trial Competition, contact Carey Shoufler, Law Related Education Director, at (208) 334-4500 or cshoufler@isb.idaho.gov.

Recent Mock Trial Results

2013 Mock Trial Competion Results

2013 Regional Qualifiers

Eastern Idaho Regional: Blackfoot High School (two teams), Firth High School
Treasure Valley Regional: Ambrose School (two teams), Genesis Home School Group, Rocky Mountain High School, Vallivue High School
North Idaho Regional: Coeur d’Alene High School, Lewiston High School, Logos School (two teams)

2013 State Winners

Semi-Finalists: Ambrose School A Team, Ambrose School B Team, Logos School A Team, Vallivue High School
Finalists: Ambrose School A Team, Logos School A Team
State Champion: Logos School A Team

2012 Mock Trial Competition Results

2012 State Winners:

Semi-Finalists: Ambrose School A Team, Coeur D’Alene High School A Team, Centennial High School Team, Logos School A Team
Finalists: Ambrose School A Team, Logos School A Team
State Champion: Logos School A Team

2011 Mock Trial Competition Results

2011 State Winners:

Semi-Finalists: Coeur D’Alene High School A Team, Lewiston High School A Team, Logos School A Team, Vallivue High School A Team
Finalists: Coeur D’Alene High School A Team, Logos School A Team
State Champion: Logos School A Team

2010 Mock Trial Competition Results

2010 State Winners:

Semi-Finalists: Logos School (2 teams), St. Ambrose High School (2 teams)
Finalists: Logos School A, St. Ambrose High School A
State Champion: Logos School A Team

Past Mock Trial Cases

Mock Trial Competition 4 Access the last five mock trial cases using the links below. If you are looking for a specific legal topic that is not covered in the cases below, the Law Related Education Program has many other cases available. Contact Carey Shoufler at (208) 334-4500 or cshoufler@isb.idaho.gov for more information.