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The Missouri High School Mock Trial Competition was founded by The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis (BAMSL) in 1979 and is BAMSL's most established program. The program is supported by the Saint Louis Bar Foundation and the Missouri Lawyer Trust Account Foundation.
As BAMSL's only statewide Law-Related Education program, the Missouri High School Mock Trial Competition serves over 500 students from more than 40 schools throughout Missouri and is supported by 400 attorneys who volunteer as coaches, judges, and evaluators. The mock trials are structured like real courtroom trials and follow the same rules and procedures, so students learn first-hand how the legal system works and what role judges, lawyers, juries, and witnesses play in the court system. This increased understanding helps students develop a deeper appreciation for our justice system and the administration of justice. The competition also helps students develop and improve their public speaking and critical thinking skills.
For additional information or to volunteer, please contact the Missouri State Coordinator, Dan Barnett, at (314) 485-3803 or dbarnett@bamsl.org.
Competition Information
2020-21 Important Dates
| October 1, 2020 | Team Registration Opens | |
| October 16, 2020 | Case Packet Released | |
| November 30, 2020 | 5:00 p.m. | Team Registration Closes | |
| January 1, 2021 | 5:00 p.m. | Deadline for payment of team registration fees. | |
| January 5 & 7, 2021 | Zoom Practice/Scrimmages (via Zoom) - Optional | |
| January 11, 2021 | 5:00 p.m. | Deadline to submit requests for Clarifications of Facts or Rules per Rule 1.1 (Round I) | |
| January 18, 2021 | 5:00 p.m. | Deadline to submit Team Rosters to State Coordinator | |
| January 26 & 28, 2021 | Combined Preliminary Round 1 (via Zoom) | |
| February 8, 2021 | 5:00 p.m. | Deadline to submit requests for Clarifications of Facts or Rules per Rule 1.1 (Round II) | |
| February 23 & 25, 2021 | Combined Preliminary Round 2 (via Zoom) | |
| April 9-11, 2021 | State Championship (via Zoom) | |
| May 13-15, 2021 | 2021 National Championship (Virtual) Case File available April 1, 2021 |
Manuals & Forms
Local Rules (Competition Manual)
Local Rules revised 12/9/2020
Virtual Rules Overview
Watch 10/15/20 Team Call
Federal Rules of Evidence (National Mock Trial Version)
Trial Team Roster & Duties Form - Plaintiff
Trial Team Roster & Duties Form - Defense
Case Information
Case Packet
Case Packet revised 1/4/2021
Clarifications of Facts or Rules
Posted 12/17/2019
The PAIGE Notes
Note: The Paige Notes is an unofficial resource prepared by Hon. David Lee Vincent, III. In the event of a conflict, the official Case Packet, Mock Trial Local Rules, Rules of Evidence, and Case Questions & Clarifications are controlling.
Case Teaser 2020-21
State of Missouri v. Parker Crimson
Detective Curry had been in the precinct for nearly 34 straight hours, fueled by cheap coffee, stale donuts, and adrenaline. Every inch of the conference room table was covered with hand-written notes, crime-scene photos, and coroner’s reports. Captain Brennan stood at the far side of the conference room, arms crossed. This case was big, and she knew it. Even the Governor had called about this one.
Brennan sighed, "You look like hell. When was the last time you slept?"
"It's been a while," Curry replied. "It's our jobs on the line if we don't get this one right."
"You let me worry about that. I need to know. What's your best guess?"
Curry took one long last stare at the photos, hoping for some sign from the heavens that would illuminate the answer. Finally, Curry looked up. "It was Crimson. In the Study. With the fireplace poker."
Regional Coordinators
Kansas City Region — LAKC-YLS
Phil Raine
Raine@knightnicastro.com
Danielle Atchison
datchison@uslegalimmigration.com
Out-State Region
TBD
Saint Louis Region
Dan Barnett
The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis
(314) 485-3803
dbarnett@bamsl.org
Coordinating Committee
Co-Chairs
Josh Jones
jmjcm8@gmail.com
Jeff McPherson
jmcpherson@armstrongteasdale.com
James Wilke
coachjameswilke@gmail.com
Missouri State Coordinator
Dan Barnett
dbarnett@bamsl.org
Rules Advisory Committee
Kansas City Region
| Regional Coordinator Phil Raine phillip.raine@gmail.com |
Attorney Coach Tracy Hancock Tracy.hancock@permobil.com |
Teacher Coach Christine Adams christine_adams@isdschools.org |
Out-State Region
| Regional Coordinator TBD |
Attorney Coach TBD |
Teacher Coach TBD |
St. Louis Region
| Regional Coordinator Dan Barnett dbarnett@bamsl.org |
Attorney Coach David Cox david@coxesq.us |
Teacher Coach Randy Pierce randebate@aol.com |
| January 26 & 28, 2021 | Combined Preliminary Round 1 (via Zoom) | |
| February 23 & 25, 2021 | Combined Preliminary Round 2 (via Zoom) | |
| April 9-11, 2021 | State Championship (via Zoom) |
Schools Competing at State
2. Kirkwood
3. Francis Howell North
4. Ladue Horton Watkins
5. Cor Jesu Academy
6. Grain Valley
7. Thomas Jefferson
8. Ursuline Academy
9. Clayton
10. St. Louis University
11. Villa Duchesne
12. MICDS
13. Visitation Academy of St. Louis
14. St. Louis Priory School
15. Chaminade
16. De Smet
Alternate: Lindbergh
Round 1
Friday, April 9, 2021 | 6:00 p.m.
Round 2
Saturday, April 10, 2021 | 8:30 a.m.
Quarterfinal
Saturday, April 10, 2021 | 1:00 p.m.
Semi-Final
Sunday, April 11, 2021 | 8:30 a.m.
Final
Sunday, April 11, 2021 | 1:00 p.m.
The 2020 State Championship was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
