Voyagers Mock Trial Program - Fall 2010/Spring 2011

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Overview:

Voyagers Mock Trial Team will study criminal (and some civil) law, rules of evidence, and courtroom trial procedures, as part of the Massachusetts Bar Association's Mock Trial Program. Participants will read material from actual case decisions and statutes; learn to help prepare the entire case for both the prosecution and the defense (including opening statements, direct and cross-examinations, closing arguments); and assume the roles of attorneys and witnesses in competitions against other teams.

We begin on September 14th - There will be a general kickoff meeting for all the team members. During the first few weeks, new members will learn the basics of the court system and trial procedures, while returning members will have a quick refresher plus opportunities to hone their presentation skills. The case materials for the competition will likely be available in early November. More details will be provided as they become available.

Who may participate - This is a high-school level study group open to homeschoolers who wish to participate and are able to handle the material. All team members will contribute during study group meetings and rehearsals to help prepare the case for trial. However, not all members may be assigned roles on the competitive team (as attorneys, witnesses, or understudies). Please understand that Massachusetts Bar Association Mock Trial rules permit only high school students, or homeschoolers enrolled at a high school level, to compete.

We are building a serious competitive team - This requires a strong commitment from all the members, and the better we do in competition, the longer and more rewarding that commitment will be! Please do not sign up for this program unless you can commit to all the homework, the team meetings, and competition dates.

Homework - This study group will often require several hours of homework per week, including reading, some writing, and some small group work, in preparation for the competitions.

Schedule:

We will do our best to coordinate with the needs of our team members and coaches, but attendance at all scheduled/assigned sessions and competitions is mandatory!

Study group meetings - Beginning September 14th, we will meet at Voyagers on Tuesday afternoons from 3:00-5:00 p.m. (or until 6:00 p.m., with notice). Then beginning in early November and continuing through Voyagers' winter break, we will generally meet twice a week (Tuesday afternoons plus another day TBD), with time off around the holidays.

Additional time commitments - As the competitions approach, some longer and/or additional practice times will be scheduled, as needed. Depending on how we do in competition, this might include dates during the February break and beyond (TBD).

Competitions - Voyagers will compete with at least three other Mock Trial teams on various weekday afternoons between late January and mid-February. Depending on our team's success, we might continue competing (in late February - early March). Dates and courtroom locations will be set by the MA Bar Association and announced when the time approaches.

For more info:

Voyagers Mock Trial Program - please contact MargiePertchik at mocktrial@voyagersinc.org

Massachusetts Bar Association Mock Trial Program: - click here