High School Mock Trial

The High School Mock Trial (HSMT) 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. Public schools, private schools, and home school 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, critical thinking and problem analysis.

the mock trial competition

Each participating school enters a team sponsored by a teacher volunteer that is composed of between six and 16 students. Teams try each year's fictitious case against other teams at regional competitions the last Saturday in February. The top 12 teams compete at the state championship in mid-March. The South Carolina Bar High School Mock Trial champion represents South Carolina at the National High School Mock Trial Championship Inc. in May. That competition rotates to a different state each year. The South Carolina Bar provides 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.

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High School Mock Trial Process & Trainings

Through participation in the mock trial program, students will increase basic skills such as listening, speaking, writing, reading and problem analysis. 

  1. Each participating school enters a team sponsored by a teacher volunteer that is ideally composed of between six and 16 students, but can have more students filling alternate roles.
  2. Teams try a fictional case against other teams at regional competitions in the fall of each year.
  3. The top two teams from each regional competition advance to the state championship in December.

Teacher Trainings

The South Carolina Bar Law Related Education (LRE) Division offers training for new teacher and attorney coaches every summer in preparation for the fall competition.The trainings are not mandatory for teams to be eligible to compete, but they do assist in preparation for a strong and organized team. At the training, teachers are provided with an outline of middle school mock trial guidelines, hands-on activities, videos, mock trial classroom instructional materials and a question/answer session with attorney coaches and mock trial teachers.

Should you have any questions, please post them in the Mock Trial Forum.

Request a Coaches Manual Mock Trial Discussion Forum

Mock Trial Effectiveness

Effectiveness

By incorporating mock trial in high schools, students can learn about the basis of our American judicial system and the mechanics of litigation. In addition, students are encouraged to learn and understand the meaning of good citizenship in a democracy. Mock trial is exciting to share in any classroom or club, and it encourages participation, critical thinking, speaking skills and teamwork. The program also serves to increase cooperation, respect and support between the community and the legal profession. All participants are encouraged to keep in mind that the goal of the mock trial program is to learn and understand the meaning of good citizenship in a democracy through participation in our system of law and justice. All who participate in the mock trial competition are winners in this sense.

Incentives

Senior High School Mock Trial students are eligible to apply for a scholarship toward their college education. Trainings for teacher and attorney coaches are provided in the summer and early fall at no cost. Teacher coaches implementing Mock Trial are encouraged to apply for the LRE Teacher of the Year Award, which comes with a $500 recognition award. Attorney volunteers are eligible for the SC Bar LRE Lawyer of the Year Award. School Resource Officers implementing Mock Trial can apply for the LRE Citizen of the Year award.

Teacher & Coach Toolkit

Audition Form Sample

Awards and Scholarships

Bailiff Script

Coaches Manual

Courtroom Layout

Explaining the Trial Process

How to Prepare for Mock Trial

Impeachment Sample

Law Terms Glossary

Landmark Cases from Street Law

Mock Trial Book from the National Institute of Trial Advocacy

Mock Trial Cases from Street Law Inc.

Mock Trial Discussion Forum

Mock Trial Terms

Planning Checklists

Recruitment Poster

Trial Process Explanation

Timekeeper's Guide to Success

What to Expect at Regionals

What to Expect at State

What Parents & Visitors Should Know

Scoring Guide 2024 2025 Front And Back Final

Competition Schedule Samples

Important Dates & Locations

Scrimmage Board

The SC Bar is excited to bring you the Mock Trial Scrimmage Board to help facilitate the ability for teams to have practice competitions prior to the SC Bar Mock Trial competitions. This will provide a great opportunity to give students more competition experience. The SC Bar is not responsible for the activities organized by individual teachers. The SC Bar does not monitor the scrimmage board. The SC Bar will not provide funding for travel, judges, venue locations, or resources outside of what is provided on the web. While teams are encouraged to participate in scrimmages, scrimmage pairings are not taken into consideration for regional and/or state competition pairings. This means it is possible that a team scrimmaged could be an opponent in the actual competition(s). This board is made available through the Google Docs link below and is updated in real time.

High School Mock Trial Scrimmage Board

Images

Instagram image

Facebook image

Twitter image

Regional Winner - Facebook image

Regional Winner - Twitter image

Wild Card - Facebook image

Wild Card - Twitter image

Facebook Sample posts:

  • Our Mock Trial team is ready to take the stand on (Date) at the Middle School Mock Trial competition! Good luck, future leaders #RocktheMockSC⚖️
  • The Middle School Mock Trial exposes students to all components of the legal process and trial procedure. Guided by outstanding attorney coach _______, our team is ready to #RocktheMockSC⚖️
  • We are ____ days away from #RocktheMockSC⚖️ and the Mock Trial team is ready to put their skills to the ultimate test at the regional Middle School Mock Trial competition! What better way for students to learn due process than through hands-on experiences?!
  • After months of preparation, the day is (almost) here! Our Mock Trial team hits the road tomorrow for the regional Mock Trial competition. Good luck, future leaders #RocktheMockSC⚖️

Twitter Sample posts:

  • The Mock Trial team is ready to #RocktheMockSC⚖️ on the stand at the Middle School Mock Trial competition. Best of luck, team!
  • They say “don’t rock the boat,” but no one’s told our team “don’t #RocktheMockSC⚖️”! Good luck to the Mock Trial team at the regional competition (Date)!
  • We’re ____ away from Mock Trial and our team is busy dotting all i’s and crossing all t’s before the big day. We can’t wait for our students to rep us well and #RocktheMockSC⚖️!
  • Tomorrow is the day – regional Middle School Mock Trial day is HERE! 🥳 Good luck, _______! #RocktheMockSC⚖️

Competition Documents & Forms

Mock Trial Case - 2024-2025

2024 - 2025 Competition Handbook (For Middle and High School)

Rules of Competition

Modified Rules of Evidence

Competition Schedule Samples

Important Dates & Locations

Mock Trial Competition Authorization

Pay Registration Fees

Registration Form

School Information Form

Team Drop Form

Teacher Tracking Form

Timekeeper Tips

Timekeeper Form

Timekeeper's Guide to Success

Timesheet Sample

Opening/Closing Time Cards (5 Minutes)

Direct Time Cards (25 Minutes)

Cross Time Cards (20 Minutes)

Timekeeper Training Video

Creation of Material Fact

Scoresheet Example

Time Violations

Rule Violations

Past Champions

2024 HSMT State Results

  1.  Strom Thurmond High School - Johnston - CT
  2.  Bob Jones Academy - Greenville - SF
  3.  Chapin High School - Chapin - FR
  4.  Socastee High School - Myrtle Beach - JN
  5.   Academic Magnet High School - North Charleston - KB
  6.   Catawba Ridge High School - Fort Mill - TM
  7.   Fort Dorchester High School - North Charleston - OK
  8.   Fort Mill High School - Fort Mill - UV
  9.   Greenville Senior High School - Greenville - AL
  10.    Wilson High School - Florence - XH
  11.    Dutch Fork High School - Irmo - DC
  12.    Dreher High School - Columbia - WI   
  13.    Eastside High School - Taylors - RD
  14.     Wade Hampton High School - Greenville - MD

2023 HSMT State Results

  1. Bob Jones Academy, Greenville - MD
  2. Dutch Fork High School, Irmo - OK
  3. Strom Thurmond High School, Johnston - AL
  4. Fort Dorchester High School, North Charleston - KB
  5. Nation Ford High School, Fort Mill - RD
  6. Spring Valley High School, Columbia - FR
  7. Fort Mill High School, Fort Mill - JN
  8. Academic Magnet High School, North Charleston - DC
  9. Spring Hill High School, Chapin - UV
  10.   AC Flora High School, Columbia - XH
  11.    Chapin High School, Chapin - WI
  12.    Dreher High School, Columbia - TM

2022 HSMT State Results

  1. Strom Thurmond High School, Edgefield - DL
  2. Carolina Forest High School, Myrtle Beach - JJ
  3. Dutch Fork High School, Irmo - HS
  4. Academic Magnet High School, Charleston - PC
  5. Charleston County School of the Arts, Charleston - KM
  6. Chapin High School, Chapin - ER
  7. Nation Ford High School, Fort Mill - XY
  8. Bob Jones Academy, Greenville - FD
  9. Governor's School for Science and Mathematics, Hartsville - BP
  10.    Greenville Classical, Greenville - SF
  11.    Fort Mill High School, Fort Mill - AO
  12.    Greenville Senior High School, Greenville - CH  

2021 HSMT State Results

  1. Bob Jones Academy, Greenville
  2. Carolina Forest High School, Myrtle Beach
  3. Governor's School for Science and Mathematics, Hartsville
  4. Strom Thurmond High School, Edgefield
  5. Socastee High School, Myrtle Beach
  6. Dreher High School, Columbia
  7. Fort Mill High School, Fort Mill
  8. Nation Ford High School, Fort Mill
  9. Lexington High School, Lexington
  10.    York Preparatory Academy, Rock Hill
  11.    Charleston County School of the Arts, Charleston
  12.    Dutch Fork High School, Irmo   

2020 HSMT State Results

  1. Strom Thurmond High School, Johnston 
  2. Governor's School for Science and Mathematics, Hartsville
  3. Fort Mill High School, Fort Mill 
  4. Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, Columbia 
  5. Nation Ford High School, Fort Mill 
  6. Wando High School, Mt. Pleasant 
  7. Wade Hampton High School, Greenville 
  8. Bob Jones Academy, Greenville
  9. Carolina Forest High School, Myrtle Beach 
  10.    Dreher High School, Columbia

2019 HSMT State Results

  1. Strom Thurmond High School, Johnston 
  2. Wade Hampton High School, Greenville 
  3. Nation Ford High School, Fort Mill 
  4. Wando High School, Mt. Pleasant 
  5. Wilson High School, Florence 
  6. Carolina Forest High School, Myrtle Beach 
  7. Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, Columbia 
  8. Fort Mill High School, Fort Mill 
  9. York Preparatory Academy, Rock Hill 
  10.    Next High School, Greenville  
  11.    Richland Northeast High School, Columbia 
  12.    Ft. Dorchester High School, N. Charleston 

2018 HSMT State Results

  1. Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, Columbia 
  2. Nation Ford High School, Fort Mill 
  3. Socastee High School, Myrtle Beach  
  4. Strom Thurmond High School, Johnston  
  5. Fort Mill High School, Fort Mill  
  6. Lexington High School, Lexington 
  7. Berkeley High School, Moncks Corner 
  8. Ft. Dorchester High School, N. Charleston 
  9. Wando High School, Mt. Pleasant 
  10.   Richland Northeast High School, Columbia 
  11.   Dutch Fork High School, Irmo 
  12.   Wilson High School, Florence 

2017 HSMT State Results

  1. Strom Thurmond High School, Johnston 
  2. Socastee High School, Myrtle Beach 
  3. Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, Columbia 
  4. Wade Hampton High School, Greenville 
  5. Dreher High School, Columbia 
  6. Carolina Forest High School, Myrtle Beach 
  7. Wando High School, Mount Pleasant 
  8. Chapin High School, Chapin 
  9. Lexington High School, Lexington 
  10.   Spring HIll High School, Chapin 
  11.   Ft. Dorchester High School, N. Charleston 
  12.   Wilson High School, Florence 

2016 HSMT State Results

  1. Fort Mill High School, Fort Mill
  2. Wando High School, Mt. Pleasant
  3. Nation Ford High School, Ft. Mill
  4. North Myrtle Beach High School, Little River
  5. Socastee High School, Myrtle Beach
  6. Bob Jones Academy, Greenville
  7. Myrtle Beach High School, Myrtle Beach
  8. Lexington High School, Lexington
  9. Montessori School of Anderson, Anderson
  10. North Augusta High School, North Augusta
  11. Chapin High School, Chapin
  12. Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, Columbia

2015 HSMT State Results

  1. Strom Thurmond High School, Johnston
  2. Bob Jones Academy, Greenville
  3. Socastee High School, Myrtle Beach
  4. Johnsonville High School, Johnsonville
  5. Wando High School, Mt. Pleasant
  6. Fort Mill High School, Fort Mill
  7. River Bluff High School, Lexington
  8. Chapin High School, Chapin
  9. Dutch Fork High School, Irmo
  10. North Myrtle Beach High School, Little River
  11. Governor's School for Science and Mathematics, Hartsville
  12. Ft. Dorchester, N. Charleston

2014 HSMT State Results

  1. North Myrtle Beach High School, Little River - National First Runner-Up
  2. Strom Thurmond High School, Johnston
  3. Bob Jones Academy, Greenville
  4. Lexington High School, Lexington
  5. River Bluff High School, Lexington
  6. Montessori School of Anderson, Anderson
  7. Socastee High School, Myrtle Beach
  8. Wando High School, Mt. Pleasant
  9. Wade Hampton High School, Greenville
  10. Ft. Dorchester High School, N. Charleston
  11. Myrtle Beach High School, Myrtle Beach
  12. Blythewood High School, Blythewood

2013 HSMT State Results

  1. North Myrtle Beach High School, Little River
  2. Fort Mill High School, Ft. Mill
  3. Strom Thurmond High School, Johnston
  4. Lexington High School, Lexington
  5. Wando High School, Mt. Pleasant
  6. Bob Jones Academy, Greenville
  7. Socastee High School, Myrtle Beach
  8. Montessori School of Anderson, Anderson
  9. Johnsonville High School, Johnsonville
  10. Governor's School for Science and Mathematics, Hartsville
  11. Ft. Dorchester, N. Charleston
  12. Chapin High School, Chapin

2012 HSMT State Results

  1. Strom Thurmond High School, Johnston
  2. Bob Jones Academy, Greenville
  3. Socastee High School, Myrtle Beach
  4. North Myrtle Beach, Little River
  5. Spring Valley High School, Columbia
  6. Chapin High School, Chapin
  7. Montessori School of Anderson, Anderson
  8. Wando High School, Mt. Pleasant
  9. Lexington High School, Lexington
  10. Ft. Dorchester High School, N. Charleston
  11. Greenwood High School, Greenwood
  12. Wilson High School, Florence.

2011 HSMT State Results

  1. North Myrtle Beach High School, Little River
  2. Strom Thurmond High School, Johnston
  3. Ft. Dorchester, N. Charleston
  4. Bob Jones Academy, Greenville
  5. Wando High School, Mt. Pleasant
  6. Lexington High School, Lexington
  7. Johnsonville High School, Johnsonville
  8. Fort Mill High School, Ft. Mill
  9. Dutch Fork High School, Irmo
  10. Spring Valley High School, Columbia
  11. Montessori School of Anderson, Anderson
  12. Blythewood High School, Blythewood

2010 HSMT State Results

  1. Bob Jones Academy, Greenville
  2. Wando High School, Mt. Pleasant
  3. Johnsonville High School, Johnsonville
  4. North Myrtle Beach High School, Little River
  5. Dutch Fork High School, Irmo
  6. Daniel High School, Seneca
  7. Ft. Dorchester High School, N. Charleston
  8. Chapin High School, Chapin
  9. Ft. Mill High School, Ft. Mill
  10. Strom Thurmond High School, Johnston
  11. Socastee High School, Myrtle Beach
  12. Lexington High School, Lexington

2009 HSMT State Results

  1. Fort Mill High School, Ft. Mill
  2. Bob Jones Academy, Greenville
  3. Dutch Fork High School, Irmo
  4. Johnsonville High School, Johnsonville
  5. Wando High School, Mt. Pleasant
  6. Ft. Dorchester High School, N. Charleston
  7. Strom Thurmond High School, Johnston
  8. Chapin High School, Chapin
  9. Wade Hampton High School, Greenville
  10. Daniel High School, Seneca
  11. North Myrtle Beach High School, Little River
  12. Blythewood High School, Blythewood

2008 HSMT State Results

  1. Berkeley High School, Moncks Corner
  2. Dutch Fork High School, Irmo
  3. Bob Jones Academy, Greenville
  4. Fort Mill High School, Ft. Mill
  5. Christ Church, Greenville
  6. Spring Valley High School, Columbia
  7. Lexington High School, Lexington
  8. Johnsonville High School, Johnsonville
  9. Blythewood High School, Blythewood
  10.   Daniel High School, Seneca
  11.   Strom Thurmond High School, Johnston
  12.   Seneca High School, Seneca
  13.   Ft. Dorchester High School, N. Charleston
  14.   Wilson High School, Florence

2007 HSMT State Results

  1. Fort Mill High School, Ft. Mill
  2. Bob Jones Academy, Greenville

2006 HSMT State Results

  1. Berkeley High School, Moncks Corner
  2. Fort Mill High School, Ft. Mill

2005 HSMT State Results

  1. Berkeley High School, Moncks Corner
  2. Spring Valley High School, Columbia

2004 HSMT State Results

  1. Bob Jones Academy, Greenville - National Champions
  2. Berkeley High School, Moncks Corner

2003 HSMT State Results

  1. Bob Jones Academy, Greenville
  2. Fort Mill High School, Ft. Mill

2002 HSMT State Results

  1. Berkeley High School, Moncks Corner
  2. Spring Valley High School, Columbia

2001 HSMT State Results

  1. Bob Jones Academy, Greenville
  2. Fort Mill High School, Ft. Mill

2000 HSMT State Champion - Berkeley High School
1999 HSMT State Champion - Socastee High School
1998 HSMT State Champion - Socastee High School
1997 HSMT State Champion -Socastee High School
1996 HSMT State Champion - Socastee High School
1995 HSMT State Champion - Bob Jones Academy
1994 HSMT State Champion - Middleton High School
1993 HSMT State Champion - Berkeley High School
1992 HSMT State Champion - Irmo High School
1991 HSMT State Champion - Berkeley High School
1990 HSMT State Champion - Irmo High School
1989 HSMT State Champion - Berkeley High School
1988 HSMT State Champion - Socastee High School - National Champions
1987 HSMT State Champion - Strom Thurmond High School
1986 HSMT State Champion - Myrtle Beach High School
1985 HSMT State Champion - Strom Thurmond High School
1984 HSMT State Champion - Strom Thurmond High School
1983 HSMT State Champion - Conway High School
1982 HSMT State Champion - Dreher High School