Mock Trial is an activity that is usually pursued by future law students or theater students. Every year, a new case is presented by the American Mock Trial Association and the team has about six months to prepare their case and then present it at regionals. Mock trial also gives students the opportunity to work on public speaking skills and critical thinking skills. Overall, mock trial is an amazing experience and if you're a mock trial kid, you'll definitely relate to these #MockTrialProblems
1. Mock trial takes up a good amount of your time
Whether you're practicing every day or every other day, mock trial still takes up a good amount of time. Especially if you're also counting the hours it takes you to prepare outside of practice.
2. You own a lot of professional clothing
A bunch of blazers? Got it! A bunch of pencil skirts? Got it! Nice patent leather shoes? Got it! Luckily for you, you'll never have to go out to find some nice business clothes.
3. You use "legal jargon" in everyday life
Yes, this was a Legally Blonde reference. Sometimes, during practice, mock trial kids catch themselves making jokes like "Objection. Speculation" or "Objection. Argumentative!" Or if you approve of some things, you'll respond with "Sustained."
4. You make the best friendships
At first, you may not know anyone on the team and if you're like me, it can be hard. But since you dedicate so much time to mock trial, everyone starts to become comfortable with each other and the best friendships are made.
5. You hear "Objection hearsay" too much
OBJECTION HEARSAY! Your honor, this document contains hearsay... Under rule 801D2....
6. You feel like you're in middle school again passing notes to each other
Since you must be completely silent during directs and crosses, it leaves mock trial kids passing notes through the entire trial. So, whether you're in the back as a witness or in the front with the rest of the attorneys, you probably passed a few notes to your fellow teammates.
7. You make up your own arguments or rebuttals in your head
Opposing counselor: OBECJTION SPECULATION
You: Hmm... I would have objected to "Lack of personal knowledge" but that's just me.
8. You know who Sawyer Shaw is, Riley Winter and what TBD is.
You also know who Kirby Doolittle is, Skye Martin and Dr. Cary Kramer. If you don't know who I am talking about, you're probably not a mock trial kid.