Mock trial is for students who enjoy analyzing a problem, strategizing a solution, working with a team and coaches and becoming an attorney or witness in a real-time contest. It’s for schools looking for another way to meet state educational content and performance standards in a program that integrates performing arts, language arts and social studies. Mock trial is great for students interested in criminal justice, law school, civic engagement or whatever career they pursue.

WHSMT is supported by a grant from the Wyoming State Bar Association.

Find the 2023 case on the Competition page of this website. The rules for competition and mock trial rules of evidence and a video of the championship round also are on that tab.

WHSMT releases a “case” on September 1, and teams of 6-8 students work for the next 12 weeks with teacher and attorney coaches to prepare both sides of the case for “trials” against other Wyoming teams. The state competition typically is the first Saturday in December (December 2, 2023, this year). We have been fortunate to use the Laramie County Judicial District courtrooms in Cheyenne for the competition.

By December, the students have learned about America’s legal system, how to build a “case” for the defense and prosecution/plaintiff and how to present their cases against another team to a presiding judge and three scoring judges. The winning team represents Wyoming in the National High School Mock Trial tournament in May.

Public Speaking
Students compete in WHSMT with confidence in public speaking skills and confidence in their ability to assert their case to opponents and judges in a real courtroom. WHSMT is fortunate to have volunteer presiding and scoring judges from the benches and courtrooms of Wyoming, including circuit court, district court and the Wyoming Supreme Court.

Problem Solving
In mock trial, students gain analytical skills to evaluate cases and facts and strategize with teammates to build effective arguments and to respond to questions quickly and articulately.

Teamwork
Mock trial is a team sport and each member has an essential role as lawyer and witness. Students, along with attorney coach and teacher coaches, work together to prepare a strategy, practicing roles and learn about the legal system.w

Sportsmanship
Mock trial teaches professionalism and sportsmanship. Students learn the importance of process, decorum and winning or losing with dignity and respect.