The Amador Valley Mock Trial team is a competitive club where students take on the roles of attorneys and witnesses to argue a fictional case each year. With prosecution and defense teams, students develop essential soft skills.
“I first decided to join Mock Trial because I was looking for a competitive environment where I could be part of a team. I also thought it was kind of interesting to be in a courtroom and do law,” said Emma Walker (25’).
Success in Trials
The club meets weekly from September to February, preparing for competitions through writing exercises, practice rounds, and courtroom strategy training. Competitions are judged by attorneys who score participants on verbal performance and argument quality.
“We start off the season where they’re writing all of their information, and then we do just lots of practice rounds, extemporaneous parts, like the cross-examination. We give students training on how a courtroom works and how a trial is run, like what’s the role of the attorney, what are witnesses meant to do, and much more,” said World History teacher and club advisor Haley Baldwin.
Members must think on their feet, present arguments, and handle unexpected challenges. These qualities are a key part of the learning process, teaching students how to manage pressure and perform at their best under demanding conditions.
“Before competitions, I am usually pretty nervous. My direct examination is easy, but the cross examination is harder, because you don’t know what questions the attorney from the other team will ask you,” said Hailey Hamilton (‘25).
AV Mock Trial welcomes all students, regardless of their interest in pursuing a career in law. Along with engaging in real-world scenarios and navigating the realities of a courtroom setting, the club fosters personal growth and an inclusive learning environment.
“The best thing about Mock Trial is understanding how to work with the group towards a common goal. I like law and that type of stuff, but I don’t really want to go into that field. But the thing I’ve enjoyed the most is being a team player and learning how to work together to win something,” said Walker.
