Mock Trial

UTA Pre-Law Moot - Oral Mock Trial left side

What is a Mock Trial?

Students develop critical thinking and public speaking skills, as well as a knowledge of legal practices, courtroom techniques, trial strategies and procedures through an engaging trial simulation. During the simulation, students will present a complete civil or criminal case by creating a case theory, questioning witnesses, entering exhibits, presenting evidence, and building and countering arguments from the opposite side before a mock jury and judge.

History of Collegiate Mock Trial

The American Mock Trial Association was founded in 1985 by Dean Richard Calkins of Drake Law School. AMTA serves as the governing body for intercollegiate mock trial competition. AMTA sponsors regional and national-level competitions, as well as providing interesting and complex case materials for academic use. Presently, AMTA hosts 25 regional tournaments, eight opening round championship tournaments and a national championship tournament each season. Approximately 600 teams from over 350 universities and colleges will compete in these tournaments. In total, AMTA provides a way for over 5,300 undergraduate students each academic year to engage in intercollegiate mock trial competitions across the country.

Mock Trial at UTA began in 2013 as a small group of students led by Criminology and Criminal Justice Prof. Royce West II and coached by members of the Dallas County District Attorney's Office.

How to Participate

Each year, candidates for the regional tournament are selected from among those students enrolled in the Fall Mock Trial I course CRCJ 4388-001.

Students with the status of sophomore to senior are eligible to enroll in the Mock Trial I course and, if selected, will be invited to enroll in Mock Trial II and will be able to participate in the Spring Regional tournament, an academic distinction in Pre-Law. Mock Trial I is a prerequisite to Mock Trial II.

The UTA mock trial teams are selected and coached.

Mock Trial FAQs


Yes, students competing on the mock trial team will be required to travel to other campuses and locations in order to participate in mock trial. Students interested in competing may also have additional opportunities to travel to more tournaments in the Spring semester.

Each year, the UTA Pre-Law Center pays for students to travel and compete in at least one invitational tournament, regional tournament, Opening Round Championship Series in Memphis, TN and Nationals in Florida. Students don’t have to pay anything out of pocket associated with those tournaments.

Mock Trial and other oral advocacy programs are open for students with 30 credit hours or more. Freshman students should focus on building strong GPAs to ensure they have a firm foundation before planning to participate in Mock Trial. Freshmen are welcome to observe classes with the permission of the course instructor.
UTA Pre-Law Mock Trail - 2018 Team 2

Spring 2019 Season in Review

Students competed in the UTA Mock Trial Scrimmage against Trinity University, the 2nd Annual Kangaroo Bowl at Austin College in Sherman, TX and the UT Dallas Regional AMTA Mock Trial Tournament in Richardson, TX. Matthew McCurdy took home top witness honors and received the highest ranked attorney award with a perfect 20 out of 20 ranks! Regional competitors included Addis Bedilu, Joan Josiah, Matthew McCurdy, Hailey Moore, Carissa O’Pry, Justin Pennington, Merna Roman, and Jason Tams.

UTA Pre-Law Mock Trail - 2018 Team 1

Fall 2018 SEASON IN REVIEW

Three teams competed over the course of the Fall semester in three distinguished tournaments. Students won rounds against the Collin College mock trial team, went on to compete in Baylor Mock as well as the Inaugural Derek Moorehead Mock Trial Tournament hosted by the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Teams saw tremendous success as they took home multiple awards and top honors including two top witness awards with perfect scores, two top attorney awards and Spirit of AMTA.

UTA Pre-Law Mock Trail - Fall 2017 Team

Fall 2017 SEASON IN REVIEW

Teams competed at the OU Sooner Mock Trial Competition where Hailey Moore and Salman Danesh were awarded Best Advocate and Best Witness, respectively, and also received a check as part of their award.

UTA Pre-Law Mock Trail - 17

Spring 2017 SEASON IN REVIEW

In the 2016-17 season, our UTA students got to travel to Houston to participate in the Inaugural St. Thomas Mock Trial Competition and also competed in the UTA Intramural Mock Trial Competition. Award winners are pictured below. Regional Team competitors (above) for the UT Dallas Regional Mock Trial Tournament were Jessica Bebawi, Meghan Clingenpeel, Aysha Paige Brooks, Jordan Tambara, Ryan Santos and Richard Miller.

UTA Pre-Law Mock Trail - Fall 2016 Team 2

Fall 2016 SEASON IN REVIEW

In the 2016-17 season, our UTA students got to travel to Houston to participate in the Inaugural St. Thomas Mock Trial Competition and also competed in the UTA Intramural Mock Trial Competition.

UTA Pre-Law Mock Trail - 2016

Spring 2016 SEASON IN REVIEW

Regional competitors included Christopher Nguyen, Jorge Hernandez, Jackie Ramos, Albea Romero, Mehwish Merchant, Daniel Winston Ruiz, Jessica Alvarez, Jordan Tambara, Mark Charnock and Aby Lukose.

UTA Pre-Law Mock Trail - 2015 Team

2014-2015 SEASON IN REVIEW

Students worked tirelessly as part of a club effort to prepare for the regional tournament in only 10 days time. Students put on a wonderful showing. Regional competitors include Jackie Ramos, Nahielys LaFontaine, Davinder Jassal, Ashley Pfeiffer, Mehwish Merchant, Ramon Hernandez, Madison Speer, Karina Loya and Heriberto (Eddie) Rodriguez.

American Mock Trial Association

Explore the American Mock Trial Association's website for more information and to learn about upcoming invitational tournaments. Questions about UTA Mock Trial may be sent to prelaw@uta.edu.

Visit collegemocktrial.org