Dallas Bar Association

Mock Trial Judges

Legal professionals are always needed across the state to help judge the regional and state competitions.  Sign-up to judge today!  Please contact one of the Regional Coordinators listed here for the regional competitions.  For the DFW-area and the State competitions, please contact the Texas High School Mock Trial Coordinator, Amy Smith.

  • All new ‘judges’ will sit in the jury boxes and score/critique the teams on their performance, skills, etc. 
  • Seasoned‘judges’ are the only ones allowed to preside over the trial(s), sit at the judges’ bench and may on occasion critique the teams on their performance, skills, etc. 
  • Each trial involves only a 2 ½-3-hour commitment which includes a training/orientation for all volunteers prior to each round of competition
  • You can earn CLE ”Self-Study” hours through the State Bar and/or Volunteer Hours just for Judging!

 

Below are some helpful items for volunteer judges to review in advance of the competition:

2012 Bench Brief/Summary of CaseR.C. Brahman v. Mahal Amrit

2012 Mock Trial Full Case  – R.C. Brahman v. Mahal Amrit

Mock Trial Rules of Competition

Guidelines for Judges

Judge Training Orientation Video

Score Sheet (blank) with Explanation & Criteria for Scoring

Trial Sequence (time limits)

As a reminder, this is an Advocacy Competition.  Teams are scored on their presentation of the material given and they are not scored on whether they win or lose the case.  As a judge you will see some amazing talent among the student teams.  We hold you to your commitment to follow through with judging the rounds that you have agreed to. 

Enjoy!

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