| Joining the Team |
 |
 |
|
Signing Up If you want to sign up for the Mock Trial Team, all you need to do is register for the JS434 Mock Trial Competition course or show up at the listed time for the first day of class. Registering for the course itself not required, but students often prefer to get course credit for their participation on the team. Accessing the Case Once you are a member of the team and the case is released by the American Mock Trial Association (AMTA), you can access the case materials on AMTA’s website at www.collegemocktrial.org. You will need a username and password. That username and password is private and only given to AMTA registered schools, so we ask that you not share it with anyone outside the UAB Mock Trial Team. After you download the case, you can begin reviewing the material, and we do strongly recommend you get a head start reviewing the case before the first team meeting. It makes tryouts easier if you have more time with the case. The First Meeting
Tryouts If you register for the class or come the first day and want to be a part of the team, you can be a part of the team. However, tryouts help us decide where you will best fit on the team. We ask your preference (i.e. Attorney, Witness, Researcher, ect…), and in the past, we have asked you to perform an opening statement; however, this is subject to change depending on the needs of the program. Now this is important: Don’t panic! On the first day, we will outright tell you how to give a good opening statement, or do whatever else the tryout requires, and the coaches will be available to answer your questions and help you get started. Placement After you’ve tried out, the coaches and team captains will discuss how the teams should be constructed (i.e. who should be an attorney, witness, and which specific roles they should play), and the coaches make the final decision. But if you don’t get your first choice right off the bat, these assignments are subject to change. |
On the first day, you will meet other members and the coaches of the mock trial team. They will attempt to orient you the best they can to the mock trial program. Then the coaches and team captains will give you some direction on how to get started, and you will have ample opportunity to ask questions and receive assistance in preparing for team tryouts during the next week’s session.