Mock Trial

Delaware’s High School Mock Trial program was started in 1991 and has been held every year since for over 30 years. Since then, the competition has grown and now more than 20 high schools from across the state send teams to compete. 

The competition is open to all public and private schools in the state. Teams are provided a case problem to review, analyze, and try during the competition.

The goal of the competition is to enhance students’ citizenship skills. Students learn about our trial system and develop critical thinking and public speaking skills. Mock Trial also provides teachers with a tool for authentic assessment.

During the actual competition, the students play the roles of the witnesses and the attorneys and must try the case before a judge and scoring jury. There are four rounds, which take place over two days. After the final round, the students and coaches are invited to attend an awards banquet honoring the winners and participants. The Competition has historically been held in Wilmington, Delaware. Each school may also choose to have a student journalist and/or student artist join the competition to show off their relative skills as they relate to the mock trial. 

The winner of the Delaware competition represents the state at the National High School Mock Trial Championship. Delaware has sent a representative to the National Competition for over twenty years.