The Southern California Mock Trial League uses the rules created by the American Mock Trial Association in its tournaments. Click below to access the rulebook.
The Rulebook
The Southern California Mock Trial League uses the Rules of Evidence created by the American Mock Trial Association in its trials. Please note that these rules often differ from many high school mock trial circuits. Click below to access the Rules of Evidence.
The Rules of Evidence
Differences in the SoCal Mock Trial League v. Teach Democracy
1.) There is no pre-trial oral argument. Pre-trial will be a matter of introductions and housekeeping matters.
2.) There are timing restrictions in this jurisdiction. There are 14 minutes total for statements (opening + closing statement), teams can choose how they would like to divide that time. Teams will have 25 minutes for direct-examinations, and then 25 more minutes for cross-examinations.
3.) There will be a captains' meeting before each round. In the meeting, students will be expected to show the demonstratives that they will use and declare which of the available witnesses they will call.
4.) There is a Prosecution Rebuttal in this circuit, but there is not a Defense Rebuttal.
5.) There is no score for bailiff or timekeeper. Teams are expected to provide their own timekeeper, though it is not scored. There are no bailiffs at these events.
6.) The unfair extrapolation objection does NOT exist within our circuit. Witnesses are limited to their affidavits, familiar materials and "reasonable inferences" based on those materials. We encourage cross-examiners to explore the process of impeachments when improper inventions are made.
7.) Witnesses are encouraged to have characters, accents, and costumes. Not all witnesses should be extravagant, and characters should be realistically depicted based on the material facts. It is up to each team’s discretion how they would like to do so.