Mock Trial
IN THIS SECTION
When you come to Northwood, you will experience new beginnings that offer you more insight into the world, and to who you are as an individual.
Overview
We hope to provide you with the necessary information to help you decide if Northwood’s Mock Trial team is an appropriate vehicle for you to become successful beyond your academic course work.
Mock Trial is a highly competitive and exhilarating intercollegiate activity that is as fun for students as it is beneficial. With participation from more than 600 teams from colleges and universities across the nation, mock trial competitors not only develop high level communication skills, but also learn valuable critical thinking and teamwork skills. Students participate in all facets of an actual trial competing as attorneys as well as witness.
Requirements
Mock Trial is open to all students regardless of major. If you are:
- Driven to win
- Willing to learn
- Committed to team success
You have met the three primary requirements to be a part of this team.
The question is, do you want to be a part of this success?
Our Success
Most recently in 2022, Northwood’s team qualified and competed in the National Championships. In 2021, the Northwood University team finished in 8th place in their division at the National Championships. Northwood teams have a long legacy of competing effectively at the national level, including a national championship in 2009. The following three-minute video from 2019 about Mock Trial at Northwood provides a window into what’s it is like to be a part of this highly competitive, successful team at Northwood.
FAQs
Students from all backgrounds and majors compete in mock trial each year. While many students plan to attend law school after graduation, others do not.
Attorneys give opening and closing statements, which are rehearsed speeches that open and close the trial. In between, attorneys question witnesses from their team as well the opposing teams. During trial, opposing teams can make objections and students must correctly argue the rules of evidence in order win the argument.
As you may have seen in shows such as Law & Order, attorneys give opening statements, closing arguments and argue the rules of evidence. Students competing as witnesses portray a character, and are questioned by attorneys from their own team as well as the opposing team.
The season officially begins on August 15th when the governing body of intercollegiate mock trial releases the season’s case problem containing witness statements, relevant laws, and evidence created by the Case Committee. Teams then compete at invitational tournaments from October until January before the elimination season begins in February. Starting in February, teams who do not finish at the top of the leaderboard are eliminated. Northwood students compete in tournaments that consist of four rounds. Each round is a complete trial. During a four round tournament each team represents the prosecution (or plaintiff in a civil case) in two trials and defense the other two trials.
Invitational competitions are held all across the nation. Northwood Mock Trial has traveled throughout the Midwest (to Columbus, Ohio and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) and throughout the nation (to Los Angeles, California, and Washington, DC).
In addition to team accolades, students can receive individual awards as an Outstanding Attorney or Outstanding Witness. However, only students who compete at the annual National Championship can be selected for a Mock Trial All-American Award.
Mock Trial at Northwood consists of some of the best and brightest students from many diverse backgrounds, which we have found to be the key to our success. This program has traditionally attracted students from states such as Michigan, Ohio, Georgia, Illinois, Arizona and California. Our international students have come to us from Canada, the United Kingdom, Sri Lanka, Ghana and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
A great way to learn more about Mock Trial and other opportunities at Northwood University is to join our Learn About Business (LAB) Camp. This is an interactive and engaging week-long, residential summer camp on Northwood’s campus.
Scholarship Opportunities
Want to learn more about Business Organization Scholarships for High School Mock Trial Team Members?
A History of Success
Northwood has qualified for National Championship Tournament (NCT) 10 of the last 15 years.
2008
NCT Division Runner-up
2009
NCT Champions
2010
NCT Division Runner-up
14
Academic Awards
2014
NCT Division Runner-up
2019
NCT Division 10th place
