Link to WSB-TV coverage of Jonesboro's Quest for a National HSMT Championship
Since 1988, hundreds of schools and tens of thousands of students from Georgia's public schools, private schools and homeschool organizations have participated in the Georgia HSMTC. Coached by volunteer attorneys and teachers, teams work together to prepare trial presentations from case materials provided by the High School Mock Trial Committee. In the competition, students play the roles of attorneys and witnesses in a court case. Professional attorneys and judges serve as the presiding judges and juror/evaluators in competition rounds. Teams are evaluated on their ability to make a logical, cohesive and persuasive presentation, rather than on the legal merits of the case.
Adding to the authenticity of the competition, teams compete in actual courtrooms across the state beginning with the Regional competitions. The top teams from each Region advance to the District competitions, and the top two teams from each District advance to the State Finals in Lawrenceville, to compete for the State Championship and the opportunity to advance to the National High School Mock Trial Championship.
In addition to the statewide competition, the Mock Trial Program oversees several other activities, all designed to increase students' understanding of and appreciation for the law, court procedures and the legal system. Most notable is Law Academy, an immersive three day “boot camp” held in early autumn each year and attended by approximately 40 students each year.
Questions? Contact the Mock Trial Office: mocktrial@gabar.org
Competition Dates
Regions: February 3-7, 2023
Districts: March 4-5, 2023
State Finals: March 18-19, 2023
© Copyright 2023 State Bar of Georgia