What is the Colorado Springs Regional Tournament?

On February 21-22, the mock trial programs of Colorado College and the U.S. Air Force Academy will host the Colorado Springs Regional mock trial tournament for the American Mock Trial Association.

Twenty-four teams from Colorado and surrounding states will travel to Colorado Springs to compete in the Regional Tournament.

What is college mock trial?

College mock trial is a trial advocacy competition in which college students portray attorneys and witnesses in a simulated jury trial. Over 800 teams from more than 300 colleges and universities around the country compete in this activity. This year, the students will present a criminal case involving the death of a game show participant.

Am I qualified to be a volunteer judge or scoring panelist?

YES!

Any current or former attorney is qualified to volunteer! You do not need to have any experience as a judge or as a litigator.

No previous experience with mock trial is required. All training and materials are provided. No advance knowledge or preparation is required or expected.

Why are volunteer judges and scoring panelists needed?

Scoring panelists score the students' performances as attorneys and witnesses and provide feedback to the students. One presiding judge per round also presides over the mock trial and makes rulings (typically in addition to scoring).

Attorney volunteers are a critical resource for the success of college mock trial — we (literally) cannot do it without you!

Rounds/Schedule:

We need at least 24 volunteers for each of four rounds:

CLE Credit:

A free 1-credit accredited CLE presentation will be provided to volunteers on Saturday and Sunday during lunch. Details on specific programs will provided when available.

Additionally, Colorado awards independent study CLE credit for attending "required training in preparation for serving as a judge or evaluator in a mock trial, moot court or client counseling competition, class, or program."

After attending trainings, you may request these independent study credits by completing this form.

Meals:

Coffee and light breakfast will be provided before morning rounds.

Lunch will be provided before afternoon rounds (and CLE attendees, whether or not attending the afternoon round).

Case Problem:

The college students will be litigating a criminal case involving the death of a participant during a competition on a game show. College mock trial takes place in the fictional 51st state of Midlands.

You will receive training about the procedures of mock trial and about how to assess the students’ performance. The students will guide you through the conduct of the trial and the substance of the case.

You are not expected to review the case materials in advance. If you would like to review the case materials or the Rules of Evidence, please get in touch with the tournament organizers and we will be happy to provide them.

Parking:

Please park in the county parking structure at 255 Sahwatch St.

Please bring your ticket into the courthouse with you. All volunteers will receive a validation which will allow them to exit this parking structure for free.

If you are judge or employee of the courthouse, please park in your regularly assigned space.