Voyagers Mock Trial Program (2008-2009)

Overview:

Participants will study criminal (and some civil) law and trial procedure as part of the Massachusetts Bar Association’s Mock Trial Program. Students should be prepared to: read actual case decisions, statutes, and the rules of civil/criminal procedure; help prepare the entire case for both the prosecution and the defense (including opening and closing statements, direct and cross-examinations); and role-play as attorneys and witnesses.

We begin on September 16th - 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 procedure, while returning members will have a quick refresher and be given more opportunity to hone their presentation skills. The case materials for this year's competition will 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 students who wish to participate and are able to handle the material. All team members will contribute during study group meetings and rehearsals. While not all members may be assigned roles on the competitive team (as attorneys, witnesses, or understudies), everyone will participate on the developmental team helping to prepare the case. (Please note that MA Bar Association Mock Trial rules only permit 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 course 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 sessions and competitions is mandatory!

Study group meetings - Beginning September 16, we will meet at Voyagers on Tuesday evenings from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Then during Voyagers' winter break (12/19/08 to 1/20/09) we will generally meet twice a week (Tuesday evenings plus another day TBD), with time off around the holidays.

Additional time commitments - As the competitions approach, additional practice times will be scheduled, as needed. Depending on how we do in competition, this may include dates during the February break (2/16/09 to 2/20/09), and even the April break (4/20/08 to 4/24/08).

Competitions - Voyagers will compete with at least three other Mock Trial teams on various weekday afternoons between mid-January and mid-February, and depending on our team's success, continue competing through March or May. Dates and locations will be set by the MA Bar Association and announced when the time approaches.

Fee per student:
$100 (Voyagers member)
$175 (non-member)

To Register:
Please contact Voyagers Registrar for details.

For more info:
Voyagers Mock Trial Program - please contact Margie Pertchik at: resourcecenter@voyagersinc.org

Massachusetts Bar Association Mock Trial Program: - Click here