Mock Trial Competitions

This year-long course is designed to prepare and support the 2L and 3L members of BU Law’s mock trial competition organization who participate in extramural mock trial competitions as advocates (including foil teams and alternates), student coaches, witnesses, bailiffs, or trial technicians. The course will focus on teaching students the basics of trial procedure and practice, pretrial and trial motions, and evidence, with a focus on the procedures, motions, and evidence rules that are most relevant to mock trial competitions. In the fall, class sessions will focus on the various aspects of mock trial (motions in limine, opening and closing statements, direct and cross exam, proffering experts, common objections, common rules of evidence, trial motions, and procedural competition basics). In the spring, students and the instructor will use course hours to prepare for and attend various mock trial competitions. All students will be required to write a reflection paper due no later than two weeks after the close of their competition. There will be no final exam. GRADING NOTICE: CR/NC graded. UPPER-CLASS WRITING REQUIREMENT: This class may not be used to satisfy the requirement. ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENT: A student who fails to attend the first class or to obtain permission to be absent from either the instructor or the Registrar will be administratively dropped from the course.