Magnolia Bar Association's 2025 Mock Trial
Welcome to the Magnolia Bar High School Mock Trial Competition! We are thrilled to announce the return of our esteemed competition for another year. Below you'll find all the essential details regarding the event:
Event Details:
- Date: December 5th-6th, 2025
- Location: Hinds County Courthouse
- Address: 407 E. Pascagoula St, Jackson, MS 39201
Rules
- Rules: View here
Schedule:
- Friday, December 5th: Two rounds of competition.
- Each team will perform as both prosecution and defense.
- Morning round starts promptly at 9:00 AM.
- Check-in begins at 8:15 AM.
- Lunch will be provided for students and coaches.
- Saturday, December 6th: Final competition round starts at 9:00 AM.
- Breakfast will be provided for students and coaches.
Scholarships:
- For Senior Performing Attorneys:
- 1st Place: $1,000
- 2nd Place: $700
- 3rd Place: $500
- Note: Scholarships will be awarded to the top three performing senior attorneys.
Registration Fee:
- Fee: $50 per team
- Purpose: The registration fees contribute to the sustainability of our competition.
Contact Information:
- Mock Trial Committee Chair, Kimberly Hampton
- Email: Contact Organizer
Thank you for your interest in the Magnolia Bar High School Mock Trial Competition! We eagerly anticipate your participation on December 5th. Should you have any further inquiries, please don't hesitate to reach out via email.
Competitor Signup
Volunteer Signup
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Does my team have to consist of students all from the same school? Yes, the Magnolia Bar requires each team to be school sponsored.
- Our team has one participant who may not be able to compete in both rounds on Friday, are we allowed an alternate? Yes, you are allowed an alternate for exigent circumstances. To ensure fairness, if a school has more than one team in the competition, substitutions are not allowed from one team to another. Substitutions can only be registered alternates for the specified team.
- Are there requirements for the attorneys on each team? Yes, each attorney is required to conduct direct examination on at least one (1) witness and cross examination on at least (1) witness for the opposing side. No attorney should conduct all direct examinations or cross examinations during any round. Out of the two attorneys, one shall do the open statements and the other the closing statements. Both cannot be performed by the same attorney.
- Are there time restrictions on our presentation of the case? Yes, each team is allowed one (1) hour to present their case. Time stops for objections and responses. Each team is allowed to have one (1) timekeeper. If no timekeeper exists for the team, the judges will monitor time.
- What are the consequences if we go over the time restrictions for our side of the case? There will be a point penalty for time violations.
- If our team does not advance to the final round, will we be allowed to return on Saturday, December 6th to observe? Absolutely. We encourage all teams to join us for the final round. We ask each team to be respectful of the other teams during this time. Please be on time for the final round and keep the noise down.
- My parent(s) will be traveling with the team to cheer us on during the competition, are there any rules I should make them aware of? Please remind all observers that their actions can also cause your team a penalty. Please do not engage with the other teams or show any poor sportsmanship. Parents should be mindful of any distractions during the competition.
- The competition starts early; will food be provided for the students? Snacks and coffee will be provided throughout the competition. On Friday, lunch will be provided for students, teacher coaches, and attorney coaches only. On Saturday morning, breakfast will be provided for the final round participants, their coaches, and attorney sponsors.
- Are participants eligible for scholarships? Yes, senior participants who participate in an attorney role during the competition is eligible for a scholarship. If you are a senior in high school and one of the attorneys on your team, make sure your sponsor has submitted your name for scholarships.
- I like to read my notes from my cellphone, are cellphones allowed? No, participants will be required to silence cellphones and to put them away during the competition.
- As a participant, am I allowed to communicate with anyone during the competition? Yes, you are allowed to communicate with your team and with the opposing side when appropriate. Participants are not allowed to speak with their coaches during the competition round.