High School Mock Trial

 

photos courtesy of Dave Liggett

Ohio High School Mock Trial


About High School Mock Trial

 

High School Mock Trial offers an innovative approach to learning the law and how our legal system functions. Guided by teachers and volunteer legal advisors, students participate in an original, unscripted simulated trial where they take on the roles of attorneys, witnesses, and bailiffs/timekeepers. OCLRE and a committee of volunteers create an original, unscripted case every year that is based on a constitutional issue that serves as the basis for the simulated trial.

 
Program Event/Student Assessment

Participants of OCLRE’s High School Mock Trial competition are evaluated based on their performance during simulated trials. Each Mock Trial team will present their case as both the prosecution and defense. Teams are randomly paired against another team, switching sides and opponents in each trial. A panel of 2-3 volunteers will serve as judges during trial and each will evaluate student performance. 

High School Mock Trial teams may have between 5-12 students, with some exceptions for schools fielding more than one team.

 
Competition Details
 
  • District Competition (January)
    • Every Mock Trial team registered for the statewide competition will participate at the District Competition which will take place at various county sites.

  • Regional Competition (February)
    • Teams that advance out of the District Competition will go on to compete in the Regional Competition which will take place in various county sites.

  • State Competition (March)
    • Teams that advance out of the District Competition will go on to compete in the State Competition which is hosted in Columbus over the course of three days (Thursday-Saturday).

 

For questions, contact Jenna Lewis at jlewis@oclre.org or call 614-485-3515.

 


Mock Trial Objectives

 
  • Improve critical thinking, reading, writing, public speaking and listening skills
  • De­velop un­der­stand­ing and ap­pre­ci­a­tion for the law, court pro­ce­dures, and the ju­di­cial sys­tem
  • Un­der­stand con­sti­tu­tional rights and re­spon­si­bil­i­ties
  • Rec­og­nize and re­ward stu­dents’ aca­d­e­mic and in­tel­lec­tual achieve­ments

Costs

 
Membership (Optional): $30 annually
Mock Trial Conference (Optional):
 

$75 for 2 Days

$50 for 1 Day

$25 for Recordings Only

Case Materials:
 

$165 per school for members

$260 per school for non-members

Team Registration:
 

$170 per team for members

$265 per team for non-members

 

Sample Invoice

 

For questions, contact Jenna Lewis at jlewis@oclre.org or 614-485-3515.

 

Case File

 

 

OCLRE is excited to release the 2025 Ohio Mock Trial Case, Denver Saidi v. Wyatt Latu! Denver Saidi, principal of Trillium High School and candidate for city council, becomes concerned when a deepfake video featuring their speech at the Snow Ball Dance begins circulating online and damages their campaign. Saidi has filed a lawsuit for defamation against Trillium student Wyatt Latu, who used a generative AI app to create the video, and simultaneously seeks a preliminary injunction from the court to have the offending video taken down. Students in this year’s case will participate in the hearing in which the court is considering that injunction.

The 2024-25 Mock Trial Case File can be ordered below. Please note that orders may only be submitted by designated school personnel or a legal advisor(s). Student orders are NOT permitted and will not be fulfilled.
 

2024-25 Case File

 

Errata Updates

 

The errata sheet serves to clarify or correct errors in the Mock Trial case and/or rules & does not address team strategy, coaching, or judging protocol. If a question received does not meet the criteria for errata (e.g. pertains to an evidence question), an email response will be sent to the individual advisor.

 

Errata Update - 10/15/24

 

Errata Update - 10/29/24

 

Errata Update - 11/12/24

 

Errata Update - 11/26/24

 

Errata Update - 12/10/24

 

Note: All errata postings are as needed. If we do not receive any errata submissions the week prior, there will be no errata update. Please contact Jenna Lewis (jlewis@oclre.org) with any questions.

 

 

As part of the 2024 Mock Trial Conference, case committee co-chair Ben Sandlin covered the legal issues presented in the case file.

 

Case Materials Cost

 
  Member Rate: Non-Member Rate:
Digital Case File (PDF): $165.00 $260.00
Additional Student Manuals (Hard Copy/Loose Leaf): $15.00 $20.00
Shipping for Additional Copies:
 

$15 shipping for hard copy orders (Up to 10 Case Files)

$30 shipping for hard copy orders (11+ Case Files)

 

Hard copy student manuals may only be purchased in addition to the digital case file. All schools participating in the Mock Trial Competition must purchase a digital case file.

 

Previous Cases 

 
Looking for a prior year's case file? To view a complete list of past case summaries, click HERE. To order a prior year's case, please complete the order form HERE.

 

2023-24 – State v Espinosa: Ash Espinosa and Harley Diallo are cousins and were co-owners of a junkyard called Diallo’s Scrap & Sale. In November of 2020, the two became involved in a conspiracy to embezzle and launder money. Over the course of the next year, $80,000 was embezzled from Trillium High School and laundered through the junkyard, in addition to another $320,000 from other illicit sources. Eventually, the cousins were caught and arrested for their financial crimes, with both Espinosa and Diallo pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering. The court must now decide on a loss amount reasonably attributed to each defendant, and as a result, whether the seizure of additional assets would constitute an excessive fine under the Eighth Amendment. The State of Buckeye has already seized assets from Ash Espinosa and Harley Diallo, but there is a remaining loss of $18,500 that must be recovered. 2023-24 Case Capsule Video

2022-23 – In Re S. KhanStevie Khan was a student at Trillium High School. When a prank ruined the school’s annual alumni breakfast during their junior year, Stevie became a suspect. During the investigation into the prank, Stevie was brought into the Dean of Students’ office where Stevie was asked about their involvement in the prank. At some point during the questioning, the school resource officer (SRO) Ari Nowak became involved. Stevie’s statements during the questioning led to a search warrant and Stevie’s ultimate arrest. Now, Stevie Khan is moving the court to suppress the incriminating statements that led to the search warrant, claiming a violation of their constitutional rights. Stevie claims that their questioning was a custodial interrogation, and they should have been read their Mirandarights. 2022-23 Case Capsule Video

2021-22 – State of Buckeye ex rel. Hollis Fitzpatrick v. Fran DeBier, et al.: Hollis Fitzpatrick was the owner of a family restaurant, Fitzpatrick’s, in downtown Harmony. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck the state of Buckeye in 2020, Fitzpatrick’s struggled financially and ultimately shut down. Hollis blames the government restrictions for the closure of their restaurant and is taking legal action to be compensated for their loss. This case asks students to consider whether the pandemic restrictions were so severe that they constituted a taking of Hollis Fitzpatrick’s property that requires just compensation. 2021-22 Case Capsule Video

 


For more information on how to become involved with the Ohio High School Mock Trial pro­gram, please con­tact Jenna Lewis at jlewis@oclre.org or call 614-485-3515.

High School Mock Trial Statewide Competition

2025 Competition Forms & Dates

 

Forms:

 
  • Roster Submission/ManagementClick HERE
    • Deadline: January 10, 2025

  • Behavior Standards: Click HERE
    • Deadline: January 10, 2025
  • Team Withdrawal: Click HERE
    • Teams dropped by the December 4, 2024 deadline will receive a refund, minus a $40 processing fee. NO refunds will be issued after this date. If you withdraw a team after December 4, 2024, you are still obligated to fully pay for that team.

  • Scrimmage Sign-UpClick HERE

 

Dates:

 
  • District Competition - January 17, 2025
  • Regional Competition - February 7, 2025
  • State Competition - March 6-8, 2025

 


District Competition Sites

 

District Site Assignments will be released on Friday, January 3, 2025. Please keep in mind that your site assignments may not be the same as previous years. 

This page will be updated by 5:00 pm on Friday, January 3, 2025. Once the page has been updated, please carefully review the information below to see where your team has been assigned to compete. 

Please note: If you have multiple teams, they may be assigned to compete in different locations. Use “CTRL+F” to search for your school's name.

 

~~~

 

Butler

Site Location: Butler County Common Pleas Court; 315 High Street Hamilton, Ohio 45011
Check-In Time: 8:05 a.m. 
Time of Trial 1: 8:30 a.m. 
Time of Trial 2: 1:00 p.m. 
Lunch: Not provided at site; restaurants available around courthouse
 
 

Clermont County Municipal Court (CCMC)

Site Location: 4430 S.R. 222, Batavia, OH 45103
Sponsor: Clermont County Bar Association
Check-In Time: 9:00 a.m.
Time of Trial 1: 9:45 a.m. 
Time of Trial 2: 1:00 p.m. 
Lunch: Box lunches provided to team members, legal advisor, teacher, and volunteer judges. There is no designated lunch space but teams can eat in the courthouse, outside, or on their buses. Lunch is available at local restaurants for family members and friends.
Awards: The awards ceremony will be held directly after the last trial at the Common Pleas Courthouse.
 
 

Clermont County Common Pleas Court (CCCPC)

Site Location: 270 E. Main Street Batavia, OH 45103
Sponsor: Clermont County Bar Association
Check-In Time: 9:00 a.m.
Time of Trial 1: 9:45 a.m. 
Time of Trial 2: 1:00 p.m. 
Lunch: Box lunches provided to team members, legal advisor, teacher, and volunteer judges. There is no designated lunch space but teams can eat in the courthouse, outside, or on their buses. Lunch is available at local restaurants for family members and friends.
Awards: The awards ceremony will be held directly after the last trial at the Common Pleas Courthouse.
 
 

Cuyahoga County Courthouse

Site Location: 1 W Lakeside Ave #202, Cleveland, OH 44113
Sponsor: Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Foundation
Check-In Time: 9:00 a.m.
Time of Trial 1: 10:00 a.m. 
Lunch: 12:00 p.m. - 12:45 p.m. (Pizza provided by the CMBA)
Time of Trial 2: 1:00 p.m. 
Awards: 3:30 p.m. at the Cuyahoga County Courthouse
 
 

Cuyahoga Justice Center

Site Location: 1200 Ontario Street, Cleveland, OH 44113
Sponsor: Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Foundation
Check-In Time: 9:00 a.m.
Time of Trial 1: 10:00 a.m. 
Lunch: 12:00 - 12:45 p.m. (Pizza provided by the CMBA)
Time of Trial 2: 1:00 p.m. 
Awards: 3:30 p.m. at the Cuyahoga County Courthouse
 
 

Delaware

Site Location: 145 N. Union Street, Delaware, OH 43015
Check-In Time: 9:00 - 9:15 a.m.
Time of Trial 1: 9:30 a.m. 
Time of Trial 2: 1:00 p.m. 
Lunch: Students can eat lunches in the building, or they can go off-site for lunch.
 
 

Franklin

Site Location: Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, 345 S High Street, Columbus, OH 43215
Sponsor: Columbus Bar Association
Check-In Time: 12:00 p.m. (in Common Pleas between security and the elevators)
Time of Trial 1: 12:45 p.m. 
Time of Trial 2: 3:00 p.m. 
Lunch: Teams should plan to eat lunch before they check in. There is no designated space for teams to eat lunch.
Awards: The Awards Ceremony will take place at approximately 5:30 p.m. in the Auditorium on the 1st floor at 373 S. High Street. Teams should travel to the Auditorium from the Common Pleas Court via the Mound Street Tunnel.
 
 

Hamilton

Site Location: Hamilton County Courthouse, 1000 Main Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Check-In Time: 10:30 a.m.
Time of Trial 1: 11:00 a.m. 
Time of Trial 2: 2:30 p.m. 
Lunch: Pizza is provided. Teams may eat lunch in the Hamilton County Law Library on the sixth floor of the Hamilton County Courthouse.
 
 

Hocking

Site Location: 1 E Main St., Logan, OH 43138
Sponsors: Hocking County Juvenile Court and Hocking County Bar Association
Check-In Time: 8:45 a.m. 
Time of Trial 1: 9:00 a.m. 
Time of Trial 2: 1:30 p.m. 
Lunch: Off-site
Awards: Ceremony takes place as soon as the last teams finish, usually around 3:30 p.m.
 
 

Huron

Site Location: 2 E. Main St., Norwalk, OH 44857
Sponsor: Huron County Prosecutor’s Office
Check-In Time: 12:00 p.m. 
Time of Trial 1: 1:00 p.m. 
Time of Trial 2: 3:00 p.m. 
 
 

Lake

Site Location: 47 North Park Place, Painesville, OH 44077
Sponsors: Lake County Common Pleas Court and Lake County Bar Association
Check-In Time: 8:30 a.m. 
Time of Trial 1: 9:15 a.m. 
Time of Trial 2: 12:45 p.m. 
Lunch: There is no designated lunch space on site. There are restaurants within walking distance. Food may be brought into the courthouse.
Awards: Ceremony takes place after the second trial once scores have been tallied. The event generally concludes by 4:00 p.m.
 
 

Licking

Site Location: Licking County Domestic Relations Court Building; 75 East Main Street, Newark, OH 43055
Sponsor: Licking County Bar Association
Check-In Time: 8:30 a.m. 
Time of Trial 1: 9:30 a.m. 
Time of Trial 2: 1:30 p.m. 
Lunch: Off-site – no food is allowed to be brought into the building.
Awards: Qualifiers are announced at the close of the last trial, generally around 3:30 or 4. All courtrooms are in the same building, and students will gather in one courtroom for the ceremony.
 
 

Lucas

Site Location: Toledo Municipal Court; 555 N. Erie St., Toledo, OH 43604
Sponsors: Toledo Bar Association and Toledo Municipal Court
Check-In Time: 11:30 a.m. 
Time of Trial 1: 12:30 p.m. 
Time of Trial 2: 2:30 p.m. 
Lunch: Teams are permitted to bring food into the courthouse and may eat lunch in the hallway. 
 
 

Marion

Site Location: 222 W. Center Street, Marion, OH 43302 
Sponsor: Marion County Bar Association
Check-In Time: 8:00 a.m. 
Time of Trial 1: 9:00 a.m. 
Time of Trial 2: 1:00 p.m. 
Lunch: Off-site and available space in conference room if participants wish to bring lunch or order pizza. 
Awards: Awards ceremony after the trials at Family Court, Courtroom #1
 
 

Medina

Site Location: 225 E Washington St., Medina, OH 44256
Sponsor: Medina County Bar Association
Check-In Time: 8:15 a.m. 
Start Time: 8:45 a.m. 
Lunch: Pizza and salad provided (we will also provide bottled water). 
Awards: Awards will be given after trials with plaques mailed at a later date.
 
 

Montgomery

Site Location: Montgomery County Common Pleas Court, 41 N. Perry Street, Dayton, OH 45402
Sponsor: Dayton Bar Association
Check-In Time: 11:00 a.m. 
Time of Trial 1: 12:00 p.m. 
Time of Trial 2: 2:00 p.m. 
Lunch: Teams should plan to have lunch prior to entering the courthouse.
Awards: Closing ceremony will be held at the courts building, please see information table for directions.
 
 

Richland

Site Location: Richland County Courthouse, 50 Park Ave. East, Mansfield, OH 44902 
Sponsor: Richland County Bar Association
Check-In Time: 8:00 - 9:00 a.m. 
Time of Trial 1: 9:15 a.m.
Time of Trial 2: 1:15 p.m. 
Lunch: Following the morning trials, a pizza lunch will be served at 12PM across the street from the courthouse in the basement of the First United Methodist Church.
Awards: Awards are held at the end of the day at the conclusion of the last competition. The Awards Ceremony takes place in the sanctuary of the First United Methodist Church across from the Courthouse.
 
 

Scioto

Site Location: Scioto County Courthouse, 602 Seventh St, Portsmouth OH 45662
Sponsors: American Legion James Dickey Post 23, DESCO Federal Credit Union, Dr. Paul & Mrs. Carolyn Crabtree, Velma Feagans, The Honorable Howard H. Harcha, III, Judge Russell & Mrs. Lindsey Kegley, Drs. Michael & Mary Martin, Rotary Club of Portsmouth, Scioto County Bar Association, Southern Ohio Medical Center, The Scioto Foundation
Check-In Time: 8:45 a.m. on 2nd Floor outside Judge Harcha's Office
Time of Trial 1: 9:30 a.m.
Time of Trial 2: 1:00 p.m. 
Lunch: 11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. Lunch will be served at the James Dickey American Legion Post 23 (just across the street from the Courthouse at 705 Court Street). This is within easy walking distance from the Courthouse and we encourage ALL teams to join us for lunch at this location. 
Awards: Please have your students plan to stay for the Awards Announcements and photos. When the afternoon trial has concluded, teams should wait for the results in the lobby area of the Courthouse. 
 
 

Stark

Site Location: 218 Cleveland Avenue SW, Canton, OH 44702
Sponsors: Canton Municipal Court and Judge Mary Falvey
Check-In Time: 12:15 p.m. 
Time of Trial 1: 1:00 p.m.
Time of Trial 2: 3:00 p.m. 
Lunch: There is no designated lunch space on site.
Awards: The awards ceremony will take place after the second trial in the same building as the competition. It is usually held in Courtroom #5.
 
 

Summit

Site Location: Summit County Courthouse, 209 S. High Street, Akron, OH 44308
Sponsor: Akron Bar Association
Check-In Time: 8:15 - 8:45 a.m. (at courthouse)
Time of Trial 1: 9:00 a.m.
Time of Trial 2: 1:00 p.m. 
Lunch: Teams should plan to eat offsiteThe following website provides information as to local eateries. https://www.downtownakron.com/explore/eat-and-drink/lunch
Awards: The District Competition Awards Ceremony is at the Summit County Main Library Auditorium at 60 S. High Street, Akron, OH 44326The ceremony usually starts between 4 and 4:30 p.m., but will absolutely be finished no later than 6:00 p.m. 
 
 

Trumbull

Site Location: 161 High St, Warren, OH 44481
Sponsor: Trumbull County Bar Association
Check-In Time: 8:45 a.m.
Time of Trial 1: 9:00 a.m.
Time of Trial 2: After all teams have finished Trial 1
Lunch: Off-site
 
 

Tuscarawas

Site Location: 101 E. High Ave., New Philadelphia, OH 44663
Check-In Time: 8:15 a.m.
Time of Trial 1: 9:00 a.m.
Time of Trial 2: 1:00 p.m.
Lunch: We have limited space for some teams to be able to eat on site.
Awards: Ceremony will be held around 3:00 p.m. in Courtroom #1
 
 

Union

Site Location: 215 W. 5th Street, Marysville, OH 43040
Check-In Time: 8:15 – 8:40 a.m. at the 2nd Floor Rotunda
Time of Trial 1: 9:00 a.m.
Time of Trial 2: 1:00 p.m.
Lunch: No designated space, plan on off site for lunch
Awards: Awards begin directly after last trial ends, no later than 4:00 p.m. in the Common Pleas Court Room.
 
 

Warren

Site Location: 500 Justice Drive, Lebanon, OH 45036
Check-In Time: 8:30 a.m.
Time of Trial 1: 9:00 a.m.
Time of Trial 2: 1:00 p.m.
Lunch: There is a "Team Room" on site where teams can eat lunch and leave their belongings. Warren County is not responsible for belongings left in this room, and we currently do not have the ability to provide lunch. Teams are welcome to bring lunch or go off site for lunch.
Awards: Announcements of which teams will be advancing in the competition shall be presented to the teams after all of the second trials are completed and the total scores tallied. The announcement is made in the courthouse's "Team Room" and all are welcome to join in the announcement.
 
 

Washington

Site Location: Washington County Courthouse; 205 Putnam St, Marietta, OH 45750
Sponsors: Washington County Court, Marietta Municipal Court, Washington County Bar Association
Check-In Time: 9:00 a.m.
Time of Trial 1: 10:00 a.m.
Time of Trial 2: 1:00 p.m.
Lunch: We host a lunch, which typically involves pizza, dessert, and pop at the Washington County Courthouse.
Awards: After all competitions conclude, we have an award ceremony in Courtroom A in the Court of Common Pleas.
 
 

 


2024-25 Competition Rules

 

Each year, the OCLRE Competition Committee reviews the rules and feedback from teams to make changes and clarifications to the competition format and rules. These rules are announced at the annual Mock Trial Conference, and become part of the case file. See below for updates regarding the current Ohio Mock Trial season.

 

Mock Trial Summary of Rule Changes PDF

 

Team Registration Cost

 
Member Rate (per team*): Non-Member Rate (per team*):
$170.00 $265.00

 

*Decisions about the number of teams permitted are made in consultation with our site hosts to ensure that we can accommodate as many teams as possible. We will announce capacity limits to all teachers at the 2024 Mock Trial Conference on September 24 and on this website afterward.

 

FAQ

How do I get started?

If you or your school are new to Ohio High School Mock Trial, welcome!

First, you need enough students to start a team. High School Mock Trial teams must have a minimum of 5 students and may have a maximum of 12 students.

Next, you need the case file. At the beginning of competition season, the case order form is available on the “Case File” tab of our website. The case is released annually at the Mock Trial Conference. Conference attendees are the first to receive their copy of the case and attend mock trial introductory and skill-based sessions.

 
Below is a quick guide explaining how to get started with Ohio Mock Trial

"Road Map to Mock Trial"

 

Can I still get the case if I cannot attend the Mock Trial Conference? 

Yes! Anyone can order the case materials by completing the form on the “Case File” tab of our website. The case will be made available digitally as a PDF with the option to order hard copy manuals for a separate fee. Conference attendees will receive the case one week earlier than non-attendees.

 

I have my case materials. Am I ready to compete? 

Not quite yet! To participate in the competition, you must register your team(s). The registration form is available on the “Statewide Competition” tab of our website in mid-fall. Team registration is separate from the case materials and is an additional fee.

 

What are the costs associated with participating in High School Mock Trial?

 
Membership (Optional): $30 annually
Mock Trial Conference (Optional):
 

$75 for 2 Days

$50 for 1 Day

$25 for Recordings Only

Case Materials:
 

$165 per school for members

$260 per school for non-members

Team Registration:
 

$170 per team for members

$265 per team for non-members

 

I don’t have a legal advisor. Do I need one? 

OCLRE does not require that mock trial teams have a legal advisor. However, most teachers appreciate assistance from volunteer attorneys to help students understand case law, courtroom procedure, and etiquette.

Teachers often have the most success in reaching out to attorneys in their community. You may ask students if they have family/friends who are attorneys, or you can reach out to other community members. Local bar associations are another resource for locating attorneys who may be willing to volunteer. You can see a list of local bar associations here: https://www.ohiobar.org/public-resources/lawyer-referral-services/  

 

When and where do my students compete?  

All teams registered for the competition will compete in the District Competition in January. Teams that advance out of the District Competition will go on to compete in the Regional Competition in February. Teams that advance out of the Regional Competition will move on to the State Competition in March. For the District and Regional competitions, teams will be assigned to compete in the closest competition site with space available. Teams will be notified of their site placement two weeks before the respective competition. The State Competition will take place in downtown Columbus, OH.

For a list of exact competition dates and eventual site assignments, please visit the “Statewide Competition” tab of the website.

 

My school doesn’t have a mock trial team, but I want to get involved. What can I do? 

Are you a high school student? To start a program at your school, you will need a teacher or staff member to serve as the Mock Trial advisor. You will also need a minimum of five students (including yourself) who are willing to be on the Mock Trial team. If you are able to find a teacher or staff member willing to be the team advisor, refer them to this list or to OCLRE directly.  

If you cannot find a team advisor or enough interested students at your school, you may be able to join a nearby Mock Trial team. Please reach out to Jenna Lewis (jlewis@oclre.org) for more information.