UMBC Mock Trial 2018 19 Informational Meeting Auditions

UMBC Mock Trial ❧ 2018 -19 Informational Meeting

Auditions ❧ ❧ Before we get started, the audition registration link is now open! ❧ Go to UMBCMock. Trial. com/Auditions ❧ You can register for auditions at that link and download the audition packet.

What is Mock Trial? ❧ ❧ Mock Trial is a competitive courtroom simulation. ❧ Mock Trial teams portray attorneys and witnesses in each trial, and compete against other schools to earn more points. ❧ Mock Trial tournaments happen on weekends. We usually do two trials each on Saturday and Sunday.

The basics ❧ ❧ There are two roles: Attorney and Witness ❧ Attorneys make arguments and deliver direct and cross examinations. ❧ Witnesses play a character for direct and cross examination.

The case ❧ ❧ Every year, we get a “case” from the American Mock Trial Association (AMTA) that has evidence and witness statements. ❧ This year’s case is a negligence case, Midlands Television Studio v. Danny Kosack.

The Case ❧

The ballot ❧ ❧ Mock Trial is scored by points. Volunteer attorneys judge our trials and score each performance. ❧ Attorneys and witnesses are equally as important; you need both to win trials!

The season ❧ ❧ Our season has two phases: Invitationals, and AMTA Tournaments. ❧ Invitationals take place in the fall and winter. We’re traveling to places like Yale, Duke, Cornell, Columbia, and Georgetown this year to compete. ❧ AMTA Tournaments start with Regionals in February. From there, the best 196 teams advance to the Opening Round Championship Series (ORCS), and the top 48 teams in the country advance from ORCS to the National Championship Tournament.

Why should you audition? ❧ ❧ UMBC Mock Trial is one of the most successful organizations on campus. We went to the National Championship Tournament two years ago in California, and we’ve won a lot of team and individual awards. ❧ Mock Trial is a lot of fun! We get to travel a lot, and we grow very close as a team. You’ll make new friends, improve your public speaking, and get an experience you can’t find anywhere else on campus.

Last Year ❧

Auditions ❧ What do you need to do?

Auditions ❧ ❧ Auditions are on Monday, September 17 th from 5: 3010: 30 pm. Your audition will last around 5 -7 minutes. ❧ If you absolutely can’t make that night, we can schedule a separate audition for you.

Auditions ❧ ❧ You’ll be dealing with a real case problem. ❧ You’ll have 3 -5 minutes to present an argument on why Mc. Donalds was negligent (at fault) in this case and why the Plaintiff (Stella Liebeck) should win. ❧ The packet contains all necessary instructions.

Audition Tips ❧ ❧ You’re arguing for Stella Liebeck and against Mc. Donalds – make sure your argument reflects that. ❧ You don’t need to be an expert on the law, just familiar with negligence (see packet). ❧ Have energy! We can teach you how to do mock trial, but we want to see your public speaking skills.

Audition Tips ❧ ❧ Structure: Theme, Story, Law, Facts. Recommended, but not required. ❧ Wear professional clothing if possible. ❧ Be creative! The heart of Mock Trial is being a critical thinker, and thinking outside of the box.

Some common questions ❧ ❧ No, you don’t need to be interested in law school to do Mock Trial! We have a wide variety of majors, and Mock Trial is great for any future career. ❧ No, you don’t need previous experience! If you’ve done Mock Trial or speech/debate before, that’s great, but you’re not at a disadvantage if you haven’t. ❧ Yes, you should audition! The process is much simpler this year than in past years.

Auditions ❧ ❧ If you’ve decided you want to audition, that’s great! Go to UMBCMock. Trial. com/auditions, fill out the Google Form, and download the audition packet. ❧ If you have questions that you think of after this meeting, email us at UMBCMock. Trial@UMBC. edu, and we’ll be happy to answer them.

Questions? ❧