The purpose of the tournament rules is to create a level playing field so all students can derive maximum educational benefit from participation. To that end, teacher and attorney/coaches are encouraged to emphasize the educational rather than the competitive aspect of the tournament.
Teams are responsible and accountable for knowing and abiding by all the tournament rules. Rules may not be waived even by mutual consent of the parties. Any violation of the rules could result in disciplinary action that may consist of forfeiture or disqualification for the offending team(s).
The Massachusetts Bar Association's annual Mock Trial Program is governed by the rules set forth in the Case Packet. Teams are asked to pay particular attention to the following:
Knowledge of the rules
Teams are responsible and accountable for knowing and abiding by all the tournament rules. Rules may not be waived even by mutual consent of the parties. Any violation of the rules could result in disciplinary action that may consist of forfeiture or disqualification for the offending team(s).
Courtroom courtesy/decorum
To allow students to experience firsthand how a real courtroom operates, the MBA schedules all trial enactments before attorney judges in district courthouses, whenever possible. While mock trials are taking place, the court is conducting its regular business. Accordingly, all students, teachers and spectators are expected to conduct themselves with maturity and decorum, and to treat host judges and all courthouse personnel with all due respect.
Trial space courtesy
Trial enactments are subject to the physical constraints of the individual courtrooms and venues. Students and spectators may not rearrange courtroom furniture or remove equipment from any other courthouse office unless they have received the permission of the court. Teams are responsible for restoring the courtroom to its original condition at the conclusion of the trial, ready for the next day's business.
Plagiarism
Arguments presented in court are expected to be the team's own effort. As with all academic work, plagiarism is prohibited. With the ready availability of videotapes of the trials, a team might inadvertently appropriate another team’s strategy or arguments. Coaches should exercise supervision over the use of videotapes to ensure that they are used properly.
Withdrawal/cancellations
The decision to participate in the Mock Trial Program is a serious commitment and should not be undertaken lightly. It is inconsiderate when a school withdraws from a trial and/or the tournament at the last minute after the other side has prepared carefully for the trial, made plans to leave school early and arranged for transportation.
Withdrawing on the day of the trial is also insensitive to not only Mock Trial Central staff but to the courts, which have agreed to clear courtroom space, and to the judges and attorneys who have volunteered to hear the cases. Teams are asked to consider carefully their decision to participate in the tournament and then honor their commitment.
Code of Conduct for Student Team Members
Mock trial is a competition, and like all competitions, the behavior of mock trial students and coaches should reflect the highest standards of student conduct. Participation in the mock trial program is intended to be a positive experience. Student members of the mock trial program are expected to conduct themselves at all times in the best traditions of legal advocacy, including, but not limited to, while in the courtroom, while in the courthouse, while on any portion of the courthouse premises and while traveling to and from mock trial competitions. Respect must always be shown by students for the presiding judges and for their decisions and rulings. Mutual respect and courtesy must also be shown to opposing teams, their coaches, their attorneys and their witnesses. Reported instances of improper student behavior, such as physical altercations, taunting, the use of profanity or other improper language, mean-spirited or hurtful teasing, undue criticism, sexually explicit insults or racially or ethnically charged comments, will not be tolerated and will be the subject of appropriate disciplinary action and sanctions issued by the Mock Trial Committee. Depending upon the origin, nature and degree of such code violations, the Mock Trial Committee may suspend or expel from the current and future mock trial competitions and tournaments individual team members, coaches or the entire team itself. All such disciplinary actions and decisions taken by the Mock Trial Committee are final.
Code of Conduct for Teacher and Attorney Coaches
Mock Trial is a competition, and like all competitions, the behavior of coaches should reflect the highest standards of conduct. Just as in athletic competitions, the officials must be shown respect at all times. As part of teaching students about our legal system, we must emphasize that respect must always be shown to the judges and their decisions. While a coach may privately report perceived egregious misconduct of a judge to the Mock Trial Committee, the students should be shown at all times by word and by example that the judge and judge’s decision are to be respected. Coaches should likewise show the same respect to each other. In a difficult situation, coaches are expected to conduct themselves so as to move the competition and the tournament schedule forward. If a coach fails to observe this code of conduct, the Mock Trial Committee may prohibit the coach from further participation in the tournament or impose such other appropriate sanctions. All decisions of the committee are final. The goal of the Mock Trial Program is to provide a positive experience of the legal system for coaches, students and volunteers.
Questions? Contact Mock Trial Central at mocktrial@massbar.org or (617) 338-0570.