Competition Rules & Scoring

Last update: June 23, 2009.

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.


Click here for the NHSMTC, Inc. By-Laws (May 2008).


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)

(Version updated June 1, 2009)

Article I. General Provisions

  Rule 101  Scope
  Rule 102  Purpose and Construction

Article II. Judicial Notice (Not Applicable)

Article III. Presumptions in Civil Actions and Proceedings (Not Applicable)

Article IV. Relevancy and its Limits

  Rule 401    Definition of "Relevant Evidence"
  Rule 402    Relevant Evidence Generally Admissible; Irrelevant Evidence Inadmissible
  Rule 403    Exclusion of Relevant Evidence on Grounds of Prejudice, Confusion, or Waste of Time
  Rule 404    Character Evidence Not Admissible to Prove Conduct; Exceptions; Other Crimes
  Rule 405    Methods of Proving Character
  Rule 406    Habit; Routine Practice
  Rule 407    Subsequent Remedial Measures
  Rule 408    Compromise and Offers to Compromise
  Rule 409    Payment of Medical or Similar Expenses
  Rule 410    Inadmissibility of Pleas, Plea Discussions and Related Statements
  Rule 411    Liability Insurance (civil case only)

Article V. Privileges

  Rule 501    General Rules

Article VI. Witnesses

  Rule 601    General Rule of Competency
  Rule 602    Lack of Personal Knowledge
  Rule 607    Who May Impeach
  Rule 608    Evidence of Character and Conduct of Witness
  Rule 609    Impeachment by Evidence or Conviction of Crime (this rule applies only to witnesses with prior convictions.)
  Rule 610    Religious Beliefs or Opinions
  Rule 611    Mode and Order of Interrogation and Presentation
  Rule 612    Writing Used to Refresh Memory
  Rule 613    Prior Statements of Witnesses

Article VII. Opinions And Expert Testimony

  Rule 701    Opinion Testimony by Lay Witnesses
  Rule 702    Testimony by Experts
  Rule 703    Bases of Opinion Testimony by Experts
  Rule 704    Opinion on Ultimate Issue
  Rule 705    Disclosure of Facts or Data Underlying Expert Opinion

Article VIII. Hearsay

  Rule 801    Definitions
  Rule 802    Hearsay Rule
  Rule 803    Hearsay Exceptions, Availability of Declarant Immaterial
  Rule 804    Hearsay Exceptions, Declarant Unavailable
  Rule 805    Hearsay Within Hearsay

Article IX. Authentication and Identification (Not Applicable)

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

Article XI. Miscellaneous Rules

  Rule 1103    Title

Scoring