Washburn University Hosts Mock Trial Competition
The Washburn University School of Law and Washburn University Political Science Department hosted 16 mock trial teams from 11 midwest colleges and universities for the American Mock Trial Association regional competition on February 18 and 19, 2000.
"Mock trial competitions are one of the fastest growing extracurricular activities on college campus right now," said Steve Cann, professor, political science. "We will be bringing to Topeka 150 of the best potential law students in the Midwest."
Schools represented at the regional competition included: The University of Kansas, Central Missouri State University, Central College (Iowa), Drake University, Northwest Missouri State University, Creighton University, Grinnell University, the U.S. Air Force Academy, Huron College, Colombia (Missouri) College and Washburn University. Schools may have up to 8 students per team and each team competed in 4 rounds of competition. Three students serve as witnesses while three serve as attorneys for each trial, Cann said. Attorneys direct and cross-examine the witness, and also give opening and closing statements.
Wins are based on points given for professional conduct and delivery, and not which side wins on the merits of the case. Almost 100 attorneys and judges from throughout the community volunteered to rate the participants.
The undergraduate mock trial program originated with Richard M. Calkins in 1985 while he was the dean of Drake University Law School. The purpose of the program is to give undergraduate students an opportunity to learn first hand about the work of trial attorneys, understand the judicial system, develop critical thinking and enhance communication skills. At the first tournament, held in Des Moines, Iowa, twelve teams from eight colleges and universities competed. Nearly 350 teams from throughout the United States are competing in the current season.
