About the tournament

Wisconsin high schools are invited to send students to compete in the annual Mock Trial Tournament. This competition is designed to develop and test critical thinking and public-speaking skills while exposing students to the atmosphere of a real-life trial situation. The winning state team will have the opportunity to represent Wisconsin in the National Mock Trial Championship in Atlanta, Georgia on May 7-10, 2009.

When the Wisconsin High School Mock Trial Program takes kids to court, it’s for good reason -- to learn about justice, responsibility, and the role of an individual within a free society. When students learn to make decisions based on logic rather than emotion, they are better equipped to deal with the controversy and conflict of every day life. They are also more likely to develop tolerance and respect for fairness and authority.

Last year more than 1,500 students participated in the 2008 Wisconsin High School Mock Trial Tournament. These students represented both public and private schools from all over Wisconsin. Rhinelander High School won the championship after competing against Shorewood High School before justices from the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Rhinelander went on to finish 9 ^th overall at the National High School Mock Trial Championship which was held in Wilmington, Delaware.

The Mock Trial Tournament is run with assistance from hundreds of volunteers in local communities. The support from attorneys, judges and coordinators in this program is voluntary. The participation of the Wisconsin Supreme Court is one of the highlights of this program.

How does the tournament work?
Teams of 6-12 students will argue a case before a panel of three mock trial judges selected from a roster of actual judges and attorneys.

Regional competitions will be held across the state on Saturday, February 7 to determine which teams will advance to the state competition.

The winning team from each of the regional competitions will advance to the state competition in Madison, March 15 and 16.

Teleconference Information
We will once again hold a Question and Answer Session for the Wisconsin High School Mock Trial Tournament. Attorney and teacher coaches are encouraged to participate on:

January 7, 2009
4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

This is your opportunity to ask questions and get specific information regarding the mock trial tournament and case materials.

Here are some remarks about the Mock Trial program:

From a student:

"Being a lawyer taught me to think, listen, and write ideas at the same time, and I was forced to pay attention better."

"This was only our third year and we wish we had done this years ago. Mock Trial is one of the most valuable extra-curricular activities there is."

"I think this is an outstanding program and benefits not only the students but the legal profession as a whole."