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DO I GET CLASS
CREDIT ? |
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YES !!! In fact, to be on the team
for a competitive season, you
must take POSC 398 in the Fall
Semester of each year that you
compete. POSC 398 carries 1
unit - credit/no credit. HOWEVER,
POSC 398 can only be taken four
times.
Thus, POSC 398 may also be taken in the
Spring semesters, BUT only to
the extent that you have enough
remaining POSC 398 units to
be taken in the Fall semester
of each year that you plan to
be on the Mock Trial Team. (i.e.
if you will be a junior this
Fall you can take POSC 398 every
semester until the end of your
senior year; if you were an
incoming freshman this Fall,
you would only be able to take
POSC 398 in the Fall semesters
for 4 years; if you were a sophomore,
you would have to take POSC
398 for three Fall semesters,
but could only take it one Spring
semester, etc.)
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WHAT IS MOCK TRIAL?
Mock Trial is a competitive trial simulation.
Two teams present all the aspects of a regular
trial, including opening statements, direct
and cross examinations, and closing arguments.Each
team prepares their case in a different
manner so you never know quite what to expect
in a mock trial situation. Practicing legal
professionals (attorneys & judges) preside
over, score, and determine the winner of
the mock trial competition.
The USC Mock Trial
Team competes on the American
Mock Trial Association circuit. Over 400
colleges and universities from around the
nation compete against each other by presenting
either the Prosecution/Plaintiff or Defense
side of a mock case. Each side presents
an Opening Statement, Direct & Cross Examination
of 3 Prosecution witnesses and 3 Defense
witnesses, and Closing Arguments. Students
must follow the rules of evidence of the
“State of Midlands” (an imaginary state
that closely follows the Federal Rules of
Evidence).
Student attorneys are expected to be familiar
with trial procedures, court decorum, evidentiary
objections and proper examination techniques.
Student witnesses are expected to portray
witnesses in a realistic manner and be familiar
with witnesses’ sworn affidavits.
WHAT IS THE TIME
COMMITMENT LIKE?
IT DEPENDS. The teams meet on Tuesdays
and Thursdays from 7-9 PM and sometimes
for several hours on some Saturdays and
Sundays when competitions are approaching.
Your schedule has to be quite flexible in
November, mid-January, the end of February,
the end of March and the beginning of April
because the Team travels to competitions
during these periods. Plan to spend between
4 and 20 hours a week on mock trial, depending
on your competitive role (witness only,
witness & attorney, or attorney only). Folks
who play witness roles exclusively, will
spend the least amount of time.
HOW DO I JOIN
THE TEAM?
To join the Team, you must have a successful
tryout and register for POSC 398. Once
you
successfully tryout, you may register for
the class. CLICK
HERE TO SIGN-UP FOR A TRYOUT!!!
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