High School Mock Trial
The High School Mock Trial Program is a hands-on exercise in learning about due process. It is most often conducted as an extracurricular activity but can also be incorporated into law, forensics or public speaking classes. Private schools, home school groups and community groups are welcome and encouraged to participate.
The goal of mock trial is to educate students about the basis of our American judicial system and the mechanics of litigation. Through participation in the mock trial program, students will increase basic skills such as listening, speaking,writing, reading and problem analysis.
Each participating school enters a team sponsored by a teacher volunteer that is composed of between seven and 18 students. Teams try each year's fictitious case against other teams at district competitions in February. The top teams compete at the state championship in March. The South Carolina high school mock trial champion team represents South Carolina at the national championship in May. That competition is held in a different state each year. The South Carolina Bar and Bar Foundation provide funding to support the winning team's trip to the national competition. All participants are encouraged to keep in mind that the goal of the mock trial program is not to win for the sake of winning, but to learn and understand the meaning of good citizenship in a democracy through participation in our system of law and justice.