Mock Trial

Mock Trial at Concordia

Concordia College has participated in the American Mock Trial Association since 1987. In the early days of Mock Trial competition, colleges and universities simply showed up in Des Moines for “nationals.” Concordia placed sixth in the nation in our first competition in 1987. In 1998, we placed tenth at nationals in Des Moines. However, the AMTA competition is much more competitive today than it was in those early days. Today, we must qualify for national competition at regionals in St. Paul, and there are two levels of competition at the national level -- “Silver Flight” in St. Paul, and “Championship Flight” in Des Moines. In the early days, approximately 65 teams competed nationally. Today over 200 teams compete. It is not unusual for Concordia teams to compete against teams from Yale and the University of Texas.

If you are interested in participating in Concordia’s Mock Trial competition, please contact Concordia’s “educator-coach” Dr. Max Richardson in the Political Science Department. Every AMTA team must also have an “attorney-coach,” and Concordia is fortunate to have Concordia alum and Moorhead attorney, Brian Smith, as our attorney-coach. Mr. Smith is an Associate at the firm of Miller, Norman and Associates.

You need not have Mock Trial experience in order to participate. As you may know, teams are composed of (at least) six individuals -- three who play the role of attorneys, and three who are witnesses. Teams around the nation receive the same case, and every team must argue both sides of the case in regional and national competition. Typically, Concordia fields two teams.

There is no academic credit associated with Mock Trial competition, but there are no tuition or fees either. Watch for announcements in October about “try-outs.” Typically, we get started on a regular schedule of Wednesday evening practice beginning in November. The regional competition in St. Paul takes place in late January or early February, and nationals take place in either late March (Silver Flight) or early April (Championship Flight).

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