Welcome to the Missouri High School Mock Trial Competition

Volunteer Sign-Up Instructions | Team Registration Instructions

The Missouri High School Mock Trial Competition was founded by The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis (BAMSL) in 1979 and is BAMSL's longest-running program. The competition is financially supported by the Saint Louis Bar Foundation and the Missouri Lawyer Trust Account Foundation with program support from the Lawyers Association of Kansas City Young Lawyers Section and the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association.

As BAMSL's only statewide Law-Related Education program, the Missouri High School Mock Trial Competition annually serves more than 600 students from more than 50 schools throughout Missouri and is supported by up to 400 attorneys who volunteer as coaches, judges, and evaluators. The school that wins the Missouri State Championship has the opportunity to represent the State of Missouri at the National High School Mock Trial Championship.

Please read thoroughly and complete registration by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 4, 2026. Fees must be paid by January 8, 2027.

What is mock trial?

The mock trials are structured like real courtroom trials and follow similar rules and procedures. High school students learn first-hand how the legal system works and what role judges, lawyers, juries, and witnesses play in the court system. This increased understanding helps students develop a deeper appreciation for our justice system and the administration of justice. The competition also helps students develop and improve their public speaking and critical thinking skills.

How do I start a team?

The High School Mock Trial Program is a wonderful opportunity for students of all backgrounds, but it needs dedicated teacher coaches willing to start teams at their schools. Each mock trial team is comprised of 6-10 students who compete as lawyers, witnesses, and timekeepers. Schools can have more than one team compete in the competition, allowing for more students to take part in the competition. During a trial, each team will have 3-4 student lawyers, 3 student witnesses, and 1 student timekeeper. Each team will compete at least twice, once as the plaintiff/prosecution, and once as the defense. Schools advancing past the preliminary rounds will try both sides of the same case again.

Teams also need a teacher coach to coordinate team logistics and practice times and spaces, and, ideally, an attorney coach to help the team with trial preparation and presentation. Teams set their own practice frequency and duration. BAMSL is available to assist teams with locating an attorney coach.

Team registration generally opens in mid October and closes in early December. The case packet is typically available in mid-to-late October.

Application Fees

In order to offset the costs of the program, each team competing must pay an application fee. The application fee is $275 per team for St. Louis Region teams, and $125 per team for teams outside of the St. Louis Region. All application fees are non-refundable. Please note, no teams will be allowed to participate without fees paid in full by January 8, 2027.

New School Discount

In an effort to encourage new schools to participate in the program, schools that have never participated or that have not participated in the past 5 years are eligible for a 50% discount on one team registration.

Fee Waiver Program

The Missouri High School Mock Trial Competition offers a "Fee Waiver Program" so that schools in districts that otherwise would not be able to afford the entry fees may participate in the program. Schools that desire to take advantage of this program must have 50% or more of the student body qualify for the National School Lunch Program and provide the appropriate documentation. Fee Waiver Applications will be reviewed and granted at the discretion of the Missouri High School Mock Trial Committee based on funding availability.

Responsibilities for Participation

1. Each participating team must provide its own transportation to and from the regional, state, and national competition sites. Each team must also provide its own lodging and meals.
2. Each team must obtain the services of an attorney-coach to assist in preparation of the team for trial rounds. If a team does not have an attorney-coach then the regional coordinators will use their best efforts to assist in locating an attorney-coach for the team.
3. Each team must obtain the support of the principal or other applicable school administrator for application into the program.
4. Each team must assume responsibility for clearing trial dates with the principal or other applicable school administrator, and for placing them on the school calendar.
5. Each team must submit all questions regarding the mock trial problem and the competition in writing to the State Coordinator.
6. Each team must agree that the decisions of the State Coordinator and Mock Trial Competition Committee, whether made before, during, or after the competition are final.
7. Each team is responsible for paying all fees before the beginning of the first round of competition or they will not be allowed to participate. The fees are $275 per team for St. Louis teams, and $125 per team for teams outside the St. Louis Region. Fees may be waived by applying under the Fee Waiver Program.
8. Each team must agree to use its best efforts to participate in the competition. TEAMS THAT DROP OUT OF THE COMPETITION WILL NOT RECEIVE A REFUND.

Code of Conduct

A mission of the Missouri High School Mock Trial Competition is to promote an understanding and appreciation of the American judicial system through academic competitions for students. Therefore, these rules will be followed by all team members, timekeepers, coaches, and teachers:

1. The illegal use of alcohol, drugs or any other illegal activity is forbidden during the course of the Missouri High School Mock Trial Competition.
2. No one associated with the team is allowed to enter any courtroom in which his/her team is not competing (unless all teams from that school are no longer competing in a given year), except for teachers, parents, and coaches who are evaluating a trial at the request of the state or regional coordinator as applicable.
3. All attendees must comport themselves with professionalism and decorum at the courthouse, both inside the courtrooms and in common areas. No food, gum, candy, or drink (except bottled water) are allowed in the courtrooms. Attendees must not go to parts of the building that are not designated as part of the Competition.
4. It is expected that all attendees will respect their surroundings at the courthouse, including using proper receptacles for trash and leaving restrooms and common areas in good order. It is preferred that attendees not rearrange the furniture in courtrooms; however, if moving of chairs is necessary for the trial then they must be returned to their original position before attendees leave the courtroom. Do not use, move, or adjust any of the computer or audio-visual equipment. Do not disturb any papers that may be left out.
5. Team members promise to compete with the highest standards of sportsmanship and will all avoid tactics they know are wrong and in violation of the letter and spirit of the Local Rules.
6. Attendees will respect their fellow team members, coaches, teachers, opponents, judges, evaluators, staff, and volunteers. Displays of bad sportsmanship are prohibited.
7. The use of laptops or other electronic devices is prohibited, except cell phones may be used by timekeepers or as specifically authorized in the case materials.

2027 National High School Mock Trial Championship

BAMSL and the Saint Louis Bar Foundation are proud to host the 2027 National High School Mock Trial Championship in St. Louis, Missouri, on May 13-15, 2027. Learn more at https://www.bamsl.org/2027mocktrial.