Mock Trial Competition

In cooperation with the Maryland Judicial Conference and Maryland State Bar Association, the Maryland Youth and the Law (MYLAW) sponsors an annual high school Mock Trial Competition each academic year. Since it began in 1983, almost 50,000 students from most counties in Maryland have participated.

Most teams compete at least four times in local matches, as both prosecution/plaintiff and defense. By the time a team has reached the state competition, they have competed, on average, 10-12 times. Virtually all competitions are held in either District or Circuit Courts. The top four teams from Maryland advance to Annapolis for the semi-finals; the top two teams then advance to the state championship, held in the Supreme Court of Maryland courtroom in Annapolis.

The success of the Mock Trial Competition program is heavily dependent upon attorneys and judges who volunteer to coach teams and score competitions at local, regional, semi-final, and final levels. Each year, several hundred attorneys, masters and judges across the state volunteer for this program.

Objectives

  • To further understanding of the law, court procedures, and the legal system;
  • To increase proficiency in basic life skills such as listening, speaking, reading and reasoning
  • To promote better communication and cooperation between the high school community and legal profession
  • To heighten appreciation for academic studies as well as career consciousness of law-related professions

To learn more – including information about how to start a team – visit MYLAW’s Mock Trial Competition page.

newWatch Webcast of the 2023 Mock Trial State Championship
March 24 event: Mock Trial Championship 1.3 GB

Watch Webcast of the 2022 Mock Trial State Championship
March 21 event: Mock Trial Championship 1.3 GB

Watch Webcast of the 2019 Mock Trial State Championship
April 25 event: Mock Trial Championship 1.2 GB

Watch Webcast of the 2018 Mock Trial State Championship
April 20 event:
Mock Trial Championship - Part I 459 MB
Mock Trial Championship - Part II 459 MB
Mock Trial Championship - Part III 355 MB

Watch Webcast of the 2017 Mock Trial State Championship
April 28 event: Mock Trial Championship 1.19 GB

Watch Webcast of the 2016 Mock Trial State Championship
April 22 event: Mock Trial Championship 1.16 GB

Watch the Webcast of the 2015 Mock Trial State Championship
April 24 event: Mock Trial Championship 1.04 GB

Watch the Webcast of the 2014 Mock Trial State Championship
April 25 event: Mock Trial Championship 343.70 MB

Watch the Webcast of the 2013 Mock Trial State Championship
April 19 event: Mock Trial Championship 484.92 MB

Watch the Webcast of the 2012 Mock Trial State Championship
April 20 event: Mock Trial Championship 531.92 MB

Watch the Webcast of the 2011 Mock Trial State Championship
April 15 event: Mock Trial Championship 548.71 MB

Watch the Webcast of the 2010 Mock Trial State Championship
April 30 event: Mock Trial Championship 344.02 MB

Watch the Webcast of the 2009 Mock Trial State Championship
April 24 event: Mock Trial Championship 403.88 MB

Watch the Webcast of the 2008 Mock Trial State Championship
For the first time, in 2008 the Maryland Judiciary webcast the Mock Trial State Championship live from the Supreme Court of Maryland.
April 25 event:
Mock Trial Championship 388.63 MB
Mock Trial Competition Results 77.41 MB