Audition Process

Prospective Cal Mock Trial members can sign up for an audition time slot at one of our two information sessions. Applicants must attend an information session to try out. To RSVP for an info session, click here.

We’ll be tabling on Sproul throughout the first week of classes, so find us there to ask questions and meet members of the team before the info sessions. We’re excited to meet you!

After signing up, you’ll receive a packet of audition materials containing a pre-written opening statement and closing argument, as well as abridged fact patterns for a few witnesses. We will ask you to select the opening or the closing and prepare two witness characters. You are welcome to write your own opening/closing if you prefer.

After the first round of auditions, we will hold an optional, invitation-only coffee chat. New to this year will be the callback social, an optional, invitation-only opportunity to meet with the whole team. We will then hold one or two rounds of callbacks. Applicants will not need to prepare any additional materials for the callsbacks.

A Few Tips!

Roles — We ask all applicants to try out for both the attorney and witness roles. You can let us know if you have a strong preference one way or the other. Team members will have the opportunity to try out different roles during the competitive season.

Special Skills — If you have any special talents or can perform any accents, let us know! We are always looking for ways to turn individual skills into unique character witnesses. We’ve had a student perform a magic trick on the stand, an expert witness use code to create a visual demonstration for the jury, and witnesses with a variety of incredible and unique accents.

Take risks! — College mock trial gives students a LOT of room for creativity. Unlike high school, we can create nonmaterial facts for witnesses and come up with a variety of unique defense strategies. When we work as a team, some of the best ideas come out of the wackiest suggestions. So at your audition, don’t be afraid to take risks! We want to see everything you‘ve got.

Resources

Sample Audition Packet — LINK

  • This is a SAMPLE packet to give you an idea of what the witness information and opening/closing statements will look like. Fall 2023 audition materials will differ from this example, and the audition process may be altered.

Example College Mock Trial List — LINK

  • The list above was provided by the American Mock Trial Association in 2021. All of the videos are online rounds. These are great examples of all elements of a trial, including expert witnesses, character witnesses, defendants, cross and direct examinations, opening statements, and closing arguments.

Example College Mock Trial Videos — LINK 1 — LINK 2 — LINK 3 — LINK 4

  • Link 1 and Link 2 — NYU v. Yale, more videos available on YouTube.

  • Link 3 — 2023 UClassic round, Berkeley B v. Chicago A.

  • Link 4 — Trial By Combat final round