Competition Rules & Scoring

Last update: December 7, 2006.

The National High School Mock Trial Championship is governed by the Rules of the Competition and the National High School Mock Trial Rules of Evidence. Any clarification of rules or case materials will be issued in writing to all participating teams no less than two weeks prior to the tournament. The trial coordinator, upon the advice and consent of the Board of Directors of the National High School Mock Trial Championship, will distribute to each team any such clarification.

No host state may alter the language of these rules without the approval of the National High School Mock Trial Championship Board of Directors; however, the Rules of Evidence may be reviewed for relevance, and rules may be added or deleted, so long as the language inserted is the original text contained in the Federal Rules of Evidence.

All teams are responsible for the conduct of persons associated with their teams throughout the mock trial event.

 

Rules of the Competition

I. Rules of the Competition (click here to see the full rules)

A. Administration

1. Rules   (Rule 1.1)
2. Code of Conduct   (Rule 1.2)
3. Emergencies   (Rule 1.3)
4. Student Timekeepers   (Rule 1.4) (modified 2006)

B. The Problem

1. The Problem   (Rule 2.1)
2. Witnesses Bound by Statements   (Rule 2.2)
3. Unfair Extrapolation   (Rule 2.3)
4. Gender of Witnesses   (Rule 2.4)
5. Voir Dire   (Rule 2.5)

C. Teams

1. Team Eligibility   (Rule 3.1)
2. Team Composition   (Rule 3.2) (modified 2006)
3. Team Presentation   (Rule 3.3)
4. Team Duties   (Rule 3.4)
5. Team Roster   (Rule 3.5) (modified 2006)

D. The Trial

1. Courtroom Setting   (Rule 4.1)
2. Stipulations   (Rule 4.2)
3. Reading Into The Record Not Permitted   (Rule 4.3)
4. Swearing of Witnesses   (Rule 4.4)
5. Trial Sequence and Time Limits   (Rule 4.5)
6. Timekeeping   (Rule 4.6) (modified 2006)
7. Time Extensions   (Rule 4.7)
8. Motions Prohibited   (Rule 4.8)
9. Sequestration   (Rule 4.9)
10. Bench Conferences   (Rule 4.10)
11. Supplemental Material/Costuming   (Rule 4.11)
12. Trial Communication   (Rule 4.12)
13. Viewing a Trial   (Rule 4.13) (modified 2006)
14. Videotaping/Photography   (Rule 4.14)
15. Jury Trial   (Rule 4.15)
16. Standing During Trial   (Rule 4.16)
17. Objections During Opening Statement/Closing Statement   (Rule 4.17)
18. Objections   (Rule 4.18)
19. Reserved   (Rule 4.19)
20. Procedure for Introduction of Exhibits   (Rule 4.20) (modified 2006)
21. Use of Notes   (Rule 4.21)
22. Redirect/Re-Cross   (Rule 4.22)
23. Scope of Closing Arguments   (Rule 4.23)
24. The Critique   (Rule 4.24)
25. Offers of Proof   (Rule 4.25)

E. Judging and Team Advancement

1. Finality of Decisions   (Rule 5.1)
2. Composition of Judging Panels   (Rule 5.2)
3. Score Sheets/Ballots   (Rule 5.3)
4. Completion of Score Sheets   (Rule 5.4)
5. Team Advancement   (Rule 5.5)
6. Power Matching/Seeding   (Rule 5.6)
7. Selection Of Sides For Championship Round   (Rule 5.7)
8. Odd Number of Teams Participating in Championship   (Rule 5.8)

F. Dispute Resolution

1. Reporting a Rules Violation/Inside the Bar   (Rule 6.1)
2. Dispute Resolution Procedure/Inside the Bar   (Rule 6.2)
3. Effect of Violation on Score   (Rule 6.3)
4. Reporting a Rules Violation/Outside the Bar   (Rule 6.4)

 

II. National High School Mock Trial Rules of Evidence (click here to see the full rules)

A. Article I. General Provisions

   1. Scope   (Rule 101)
   2. Purpose and Construction   (Rule 102)

B. Article II. Judicial Notice (Not Applicable)

C. Article III. Presumptions in Civil Actions and Proceedings

D. Article IV. Relevancy and its Limits

   1. Definition of "Relevant Evidence"      (Rule 401)
   2. Relevant Evidence Generally Admissible; Irrelevant
        Evidence Inadmissible   (Rule 402)
   3. Exclusion of Relevant Evidence on Grounds of Prejudice,
        Confusion, or Waste of Time   (Rule 403)
   4. Character Evidence Not Admissible to Prove Conduct   (Rule 404)
   5. Methods of Proving Character   (Rule 405)
   6. Habit; Routine Practice   (Rule 406)
   7. Subsequent Remedial Measures   (Rule 407)
   8. Compromise and Offers to Compromise   (Rule 408)
   9. Payment of Medical or Similar Expenses   (Rule 409)
   10. Inadmissibility of Pleas, Plea Discussions   (Rule 410)
   11. Liability Insurance   (Rule 411)

E. Article V. Privileges

   1. General Rules   (Rule 501)

F. Article VI. Witnesses

   1. General Rule of Competency   (Rule 601)
   2. Lack of Personal Knowledge   (Rule 602)
   3. Who May Impeach   (Rule 607)
   4. Evidence of Character and Conduct of Witness   (Rule 608)
   5. Impeachment by Evidence or Conviction of Crime   (Rule 609)
   6. Religious Beliefs and Opinions   (Rule 610)
   7. Mode and Order of Interrogation and Presentation   (Rule 611)
   8. Writing Used to Refresh Memory   (Rule 612)
   9. Prior Statements of Witnesses   (Rule 613)

G. Article VII. Opinions And Expert Testimony

   1. Opinion Testimony by Lay Witnesses   (Rule 701)
   2. Testimony by Experts   (Rule 702)
   3. Bases of Opinion Testimony by Experts   (Rule 703)
   4. Opinion on Ultimate Issue   (Rule 704)
   5. Disclosure of Facts or Data Underlying Expert Opinion   (Rule 705)

H. Article VIII. Hearsay

   1. Definitions   (Rule 801)
   2. Hearsay Rule   (Rule 802)
   3. Hearsay Exceptions, Availability of Declarant Immaterial   (Rule 803)
   4. Hearsay Exceptions, Declarant Unavailable (Rule 804)
   5. Hearsay Within Hearsay   (Rule 805)

I. Article IX. Authentication and Identification (Not Applicable)

J. Article X. Contents of Writings, Recordings, and Photographs (Not Applicable)

K. Article XI. Miscellaneous Rules

   1. Title   (Rule 1103)

Scoring

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