Warning: Undefined variable $page_cta in /var/www/vhosts/dev.fastspot.com/httpdocs/clients/siena/templates/basic/content.php on line 10
Len Cutler, Ph.D., serves as the team’s educator coach and is joined by the Distinguished Jurist in Residence and accomplished local alumni attorneys.
Who are we?
The Mock Trial Team is an imitation trial competition team through the American Mock Trial Association. The team competes in invitational competitions from October to February in order to prepare for the Regional Competition with the hopes of moving on to the Opening Round Championship and eventually Nationals.
What do we do?
Each year, the team receives a case that must be prepared for trial. Students play roles as attorneys and witnesses. With the guidance of coaches, they prepare a case for the defense and the prosecution or plaintiff, depending on if it is criminal or civil.
What have we achieved?
In 2017, the Mock Trial Team competed at Fordham University. In 2018, they competed at Yale University against SUNY Albany, Brown University, UMass Lowell, and UConn, winning four out of eight judges in all four trials. They were close to receiving a bid for the Opening Round Championship as well.
Why Mock Trial?
Mock Trial provides real world skills – even for students who are not interested in going to law school. Students learn how to critically think, think quickly, analyze materials, and make a proper argument against an adversary. Students’ public speaking skills also improve drastically. These are skills students are able to use in the classroom and beyond. No matter what career path a student chooses, they will have to advocate for themselves at some point, and mock trial gives them the skills to do so.
Girvin & Ferlazzo Moot Courtroom
Located in Siena Hall, the moot courtroom is a flexible space that serves as a classroom and courtroom. It allows students to learn about the legal profession and gives members of the Honorable James P. King Moot Court/Mock Trial Team a space to train, practice and scrimmage in preparation for competitions through the American Mock Trial Association.