For students who are law school-bound or for those who just have a keen interest in all things judiciary, Cal Poly’s Mock Trial Club provides a way to practice their skills in a competitive environment.
The club team, which was started at Cal Poly during the 2006-2007 school year, gives students the opportunity to participate in court cases similar to real life trials with other
teams throughout the country. All of the 900 teams compete within the American Mock Trial Association and represent 600 schools.
Each year, the cases switch from civil to criminal, in order for members to become familiar with and practice both sides of law. Whatever issue is at hand, each case mimics a real life trial students would see in a courtroom.
At each competition, students participate in four trials. Each trial has two judges with a total of eight possible ballots. Last year, Cal Poly won two of the ballots; this year, they won a good sportsmanship award.
Mock trial coach and political science professor Matthew Moore has been the club’s advisor since it began. During his time as coach, Moore said he has seen the club’s successes grow as their numbers do the same.
During the first year of the club’s existence, there were only about 10 students who participated and their low numbers and inexperience led to a losing season.
“At the first competition many students were still learning how the trials ran, and the club was able to learn from their mistakes and see what kind of improvements needed to be made,” Moore said.
This year, the club’s numbers grew, allowing for two separate teams, both of which consist of eight people. Moore said that his goal is to have a total of three teams and encourages anyone familiar with the program or interested in law to participate.
The Mock Trial Club consists of all students, while professors and attorneys serve in an advisory role. Any full-time Cal Poly undergraduate is allowed to audition.
“The students started the club and it was my job to do the logistics and get lawyers together to help start the process,” Moore said.
This year, the teams participated in intercollegiate competitions at Fresno State and Claremont-McKenna.
Although the teams didn’t advance as far as they had wanted to this year, Moore said that performing consistently better at the competitions inspires the club.
“It’s more encouraging that every year we figure out a little bit more on how to do better,” he said.
Funding for the club comes through the Instructionally Related Activities (IRA) program, which provides funding for almost all events, including competitions and scrimmages, which are often far away. The funding is new this year and gave the teams more opportunities to compete.
Moore said that the experience gained during mock trial has undoubtedly made students more knowledgeable regarding real life court situations.
Political science senior and mock trial participant Charles Talpas agrees.
“It’s essential for anyone interested in continuing law after Cal Poly to participate in mock trials; it’s a great opportunity for the future,” he said, adding that the trials helped him
gain a better knowledge of what actually happens during a court case, as well as a better handle on law terminology.
“Every lawyer or judge that watched us have said that they wished they would have done mock trials in undergrad,” Talpas said. “There is so much you don’t learn until after law school.”
As of this year, Cal Poly’s political science department offers POLS X295 (fall) and POLS X395 (winter) to help students prepare for and participate in intercollegiate competitions. These classes also help participants connect their courtroom experiences with the American legal system, Moore said.
As for next year, the club is planning on competing in at least one intercollegiate scrimmage and two rounds of scrimmages during fall quarter before going on to more competitions in the winter.
“If we keep the same kind of progress that we’ve been making for the last couple of years, I think that next year we’ll do even better,” he said.
For more information in participating in the mock trials, e-mail Matthew Moore at mocktrial@calpoly.edu.