We Need Volunteers!

The Lawyers Association of Kansas City YLS is hosting the Missouri High School Mock Trial Regional Competition January 30 and February 1 (preliminary rounds) and February 20 and February 22 (regional rounds). We anticipate the rounds will be held at the Jackson County Courthouse in Independence, MO; however, due to security procedures, the location is subject to change.

This is a great event and it's really inspiring to see how hard the high school students prepare for the mock trial and their enthusiasm for the law.

We are seeking volunteers to serve as presiding and scoring judges on each night of the competition.  Judges are asked to arrive to the courthouse by 5:30 p.m. We will have a short orientation, then proceed with rounds. Rounds start at approximately 6:00 p.m. and last approximately 2-2.5 hours.  We will provide food and drink during orientation.

Presiding judges will preside over the trial, ruling on objections and keeping the trial flowing smoothly.  Presiding judges do not score individual segments of the trial but do give an overall verdict at the end of the trial.  Presiding judges must have a law degree, and some litigation experience is helpful for ruling on objections.
 
Scoring judges will evaluate each segment of the trial (opening, direct #1, cross #1, etc) on its own merits resulting in an overall score for the trial that reflects the team that was technically better without regard to the team that would have won the verdict. Scoring judges will not be asked to rule on objections or maintain courtroom order but will instead observe the trial from the jury box. Scoring judges must have a bachelor’s degree but do not have to have any formal legal training or a law degree.