MOCK TRIAL PROGRAM

tudents have to try out to become Advocates in the Mock Trial Program. They must prepare a case, either civil or criminal, and then try that case before a panel of judges.

In order to develop the skills necessary to make the varsity-level mock trial teams, South Texas College of Law offers a Mock Trial Litigation class under the direction of Associate Dean T. Gerald Treece. Students practice and develop skills in theory development, evidence analysis, forensic persuasion and litigation advocacy.

MOCK TRIAL LITIGATION (two hours credit):
This course is designed to provide intensive training in trial advocacy and culminates each semester in the mock trial competition. Each class is divided into sections of 20 students who then pair off into 4 member teams. Teams prepare for the direct-and-cross examination of witnesses, opening and closing statements, and trial motions. Students enrolling in the class are encouraged to have completed or be concurrently enrolled in Evidence.

By taking this class early on, students can try-out for varsity teams as soon as they are eligible, giving them several semesters to hone and polish advocacy skills.

T. Gerald Treece Mock Trial Academy
In order to utilize the time before the new academic year, student participants divide into 4-member teams, analyze and prepare a trial problem, and present their trial case in a intra-squad mock trial competition.