Mock-Trial FAQ

BGSU Mock trial was established to provide students with the opportunity to learn more about the American justice system through the lens of an attorney or witness. Students will strengthen their civility, teamwork, extemporaneous skills, and learn how to build and advocate their case. 

Students will learn the intricacies of the American legal system through a case file written by the American Mock Trial Association (AMTA), and simulate court proceedings.

This past academic year, the team as a whole practiced for 2 hours on Fridays 6-8 pm and Sundays 11-1pm in Central Hall 111. Individual pairs of attorney/witness duos practice at other times, depending on their level of dedication to the activity.

Mock trial at BGSU is free to team members! We will do a number of fundraising opportunities throughout the year to fund our travel and registration fees.  

The smallest possible team has 6 members, while the largest possible team is 10 members. Each side will have a total of 6 roles (3 witnesses and 3 attorneys), meaning that with a full team of 10 members two people must double. Doubling means that a person must take on one role on the defense side and one role on the prosecution side. Our hope is to expand to multiple teams. Per AMTA guidelines these teams will have to be ranked based on skill.

You indicate via this interest form that you would like to participate in mock trial for that season. You may also email any of the officers.

After doing so, if tryouts have not already been held, you will be asked to schedule a tryout time.

Every year around August 15, the American Mock Trial Association sends each team a case file that will be used that entire year as the basis for mock trial competitions.

After Campus Fest on September 3, we will hold a series of informational meetings explaining what mock trial is and explain the tryout process-tryouts will be held the week of September 12, by appointment.

Learn more here!

Everyone trying out will participate in all portions of the tryout process.

Tryouts consist of three parts:

1. Delivery of an opening statement-The memorized speech will be provided to you. You will be expected to deliver the opening statement noteless. 
2. Witness examinations-You can choose between three witnesses. Based on these witnesses affadavits you will be asked a series of questions as the witness you chose. Examinations are noteless.
3. Delivery of an extemperanoues speech-You will be given a prompt during your audition and have 5 minutes to craft a ~2 minutes speech related to the prompt. This speech will also be noteless.

The season begins immediately after we conclude our tryouts. The end depends on the success of the team. The earliest the season would be completed would be February 7, 2026. If we continue to qualify for higher levels on competition, we will be competing through April 2026.

No, but acting and public speaking experience is an asset. More than experience, you need to be coachable and available. In other words, we can help you be effective at mock trial, but you need to be willing to put in time and effort to learn.

NO!! Many witnesses are experts in various fields such as psychology, forensic pathology, even car appraisal-so we're happy to have members from all majors and career interests :)

You can choose to be an attorney, witness, or paralegal. A paralegal is an excellent choice if you do not want to take on the time commitment of a competing member but still want to help out and learn more about the organization.