Monmouth’s mock trial program consists of groups of six to eight students that compete nationally in the American Mock Trial Association’s (AMTA) tournament. Teams receive a civil or criminal trial problem at the beginning of the year and work collaboratively to develop trial strategies. The program builds strong oral advocacy skills, as well as litigation skills critical for practical success in law school and beyond. Students are introduced to trial procedure, the law of evidence, and proper courtroom appearance and professionalism.
Competing in a series of invitational tournaments in the fall and early spring, AMTA regionals generally take place in February of the spring semester. Moot court competition is the equivalent of appellate advocacy in the legal profession. Students are charged with writing a legal brief laying out in detail a legal argument before a mock appellate judge panel, and also engaging in an oral argument on the merits of the brief.