“It’s good if you’re interested in law or theater,” Blue Mize, a student playing the role of an expert witness in the first mock trial scrimmage of the year, said. It is an apt description of mock trial, a competitive activity organized on campus by the UT of San Antonio’s Legal Advocacy Association in cooperation with the American Mock Trial Association, which runs and structures regional tournaments and national competitions.
Mock trial combines procedural and legal knowledge, argumentation, strategy, teamwork and even roleplay. Teams of six act as defense and prosecution for two rounds, swapping roles as they debate the same case.
The scenario at play on Saturday was the accusation of a murder on a high-stakes reality TV show. Members played witnesses and even the defendant. Participants lean into their acting abilities, as each witness is written with distinct personalities and motivations. The two legal teams must develop strategies to best use their respective witnesses and undermine the credibility of the opposition.
This is also one of the major challenges in a LAA mock trial. Every role needs to become extremely familiar with the case and character’s behavior on the stand, given their personality and motivations. Members must learn the rules and procedures in a courtroom trial. However, members of LAA are on the same team, and these scrimmages are practice for the competitions. A student will be able to develop “quick thinking, combining preparation and strategy with improvisation,” according to member Bauer Burtshell.
Although primarily geared towards those interested in law, the LAA is open to all majors, with something to offer everyone.
“The skills you learn are skills you’ll carry with you into any field. You learn critical thinking, public speaking and how to perform under pressure,” Attorney Captain Miriam Awon said. “No matter what, you become immersed in a type of family working as a team. You get to meet with all kinds of people you’d never meet otherwise.”
Those interested in participating in future mock trials held by the LAA can learn more on their RowdyLink page. Application forms are due Feb. 6 and tryouts for mock trial are being held between Feb. 16 and 20.
LAA also offers bi-weekly speaker events and LSAT prep on Monday and Wednesdays at 4 p.m. The LAA will also be holding an informational tabling event on Wednesday, Feb. 4, from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Central Plaza.
