The mock trial has proven to be an effective learning tool for students of all grade levels. It helps them understand the law, practice critical thinking, and gain greater confidence with public speaking by assuming the roles of attorneys and witnesses in a fictional criminal or civil trial.

Participants experience first-hand the difficulties that judges, lawyers and juries face in determining which facts are relevant and what legal arguments are effective.

See below for more information about:

     

    High School Competition

    Each year, more than 70 teams, totaling some 1,200 students, compete at regional, state and national levels — with support from more than 500 attorneys, educators and other community representatives acting as coaches, judges and coordinators.

    Click here to learn more!

     

     

    Metro Mini Mock Trial

    Date: Friday, December 9, 2011
    Location: Multnumah County Courthouse (1020 SW 4th Ave., Portland)
    Time: 5:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. (some teams might start as early as 4:30 depending on availability of rooms) – allow extra time to get through the security check line.

    Each fall, 30 teams of students from Portland area high schools will assume the roles of attorneys and witnesses to argue a criminal case before almost 70 attorneys, judges, educators and law students at the Multnomah County Courthouse.

    This event is intended to give students new to the mock trial program an opportunity to gain experience, provide returning students a chance to try out new roles and skills, and allow Portland area high schools a chance to start a team.

    The 2011 case is Jackson v. The Great American Tobacco Company, in which the guardian of a high school student with cancer caused by cigarette smoking sues the cigarette manufacturer for consumer fraud and negligence.   Click to DOWNLOAD the case.

     

    Mock Trial Workshop for Middle School Teachers

    Classroom Law Project presents a Mock Trial Workshop for Middle School Teachers on March 19 & 21, 2012, from 4:00 – 6:00 PM at West Sylvan Middle School in Portland. Staff and volunteer Susie Marcus, from Classroom Law Project, will train teachers using the 2012 Mock Trial case, Lee Cavanaugh v. Cup of Joe. It is a civil dispute when hot coffee purchased from a local shop burns a customer.
    Download the flyer and share it with your colleagues.
    Register now for the FREE workshop on-line.

     

    Non-competitive

    Just interested in putting on a mock trial with your class or community group without the commitment of the competition?  Check out the extensive mock trial collection available for download on our Resource page.

     

    Mock Trial Cases

    2012 – Lee Cavanaugh v. Cup of Joe: View the case
    The case involves a civil dispute when hot coffee purchased from a local shop burns a customer.  Was the coffee too hot to handle?

    2011 – State v. Freeman: Part 1 | Part 2
    Frost is dead. She was a partner in a restaurant and was found frozen in the restaurant’s cooler. There was a history of gambling problems and outstanding loans.  Was it murder or just bad luck?

    2010 – State v. Lane: Part 1 | Part 2
    A criminal case where the defendant, a rap artist, is charged with inciting a riot and arson.

    2009 – Simon v. Swift and Eastside High School: Part 1 | Part 2
    A civil case where the deceased was a student-athlete who had used steriods.

    2008 – State v. Campbell: Part 1 | Part 2
    A criminal case where the bullying victim is charged with planting a bomb at school.

    2007 – Johnson v. Brewster, Miller, and WASP: Part 1 | Part 2
     A wrongful death action against not only the convicted wrongdoer, but the person and organization inciting hate.

    2006 – State v. Kendall: Part 1 | Part 2
    The case of fast cars in Caneville.

    2005 – Parker et al v. Paradise County SD: Part 1 | Part 2
    The case of the hazardous homework.

    2004 – State v. Martin: Part 1 | Part 2
    A criminal case where a student is charged with murder after a high school rock climber is found dead at the base of a cliff.

    The People v. Andrew Jackson: Case | Teaching Notes
    Historical mock trial for grades 8-12.

     

    Mock Trial Manual

    Step by step instructions, lesson plans, and supplementary resources: Manual | Handouts | Appendix

     

    Volunteer to judge Mock Trial!

    Join Classroom Law Project at a courthouse near you (Albany, Bend, Hillsboro, Medford, Portland, and Oregon City) on Saturday, March 3 (regionals) or at the Hatfield Federal Courthouse in downtown Portland on Friday or Saturday, March 16-17 (state finals), to see students make their case with passion and poise. Each year, more than 70 high school teams, totaling some 1,200 students, compete in mock trials at the regional, state and national levels.

    This unforgettable experience for students depends on the participation of hundreds of educators, attorneys, and other community representatives who serve as judges at the competition.

    If you are interested in being a part of this great event,
    click here to fill out our volunteer form.