member center
12/30/2020: The Paige Notes posted.
12/7/2020: Local Rules posted. State Championship dates posted.
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) |
Kansas City
Location
Jackson County Courthouse (Kansas City), 415 E. 12th St., Kansas City, MO 64106
Preliminary Rounds
Round 1: Tuesday, February 4, 2020
Round 2: Thursday, February 6, 2020
Regionals
Round 1: Tuesday, February 25, 2020
Round 2: Thursday, February 27, 2020
Saint Louis
Location
St. Louis County Circuit Courts Building, 105 S. Central Ave., Clayton, MO 63105
Courthouse Security
As you enter any of the St. Louis County court buildings you will be required to pass through a security checkpoint. No exceptions will be allowed. People with disabilities will need to speak to the security staff for the necessary accommodations. The security checkpoint is very similar to airport security checkpoints in that you will be required to place any hand carried items (i.e., purses, briefcases, packages, lunch boxes, umbrellas, etc.) on the black conveyor belt of the x-ray machine. You will also be required to empty your pockets of any metal items (e.g. keys, pens, loose change, cigarette packs, foil wrapped items, wallets, pagers, cell phones) into a plastic basket available at the checkpoint. You will place the plastic basket of items from your pockets on the black conveyor belt. No weapons of any kind will be allowed.
All trials begin at 6:00 PM. Volunteers should check-in by 5:30 PM.
Judge & Juror Volunteer Sign Up (St. Louis Region)
Preliminary Round 1
Tuesday, January 21, 2020
Thursday, January 23, 2020
Preliminary Round 1 Results & Rankings
Preliminary Round 2
Tuesday, February 18, 2020
Thursday, February 20, 2020
Regionals
Round 1: Tuesday, March 3, 2020
Round 2: Thursday, March 5, 2020
State Championship
CANCELED due to COVID-19
Location
St. Charles County Courthouse, 300 N 2nd St, Saint Charles, MO 63301
Courthouse Security
As you enter the courthouse you will be required to pass through a security checkpoint. No exceptions will be allowed. People with disabilities will need to speak to the security staff for the necessary accommodations. The security checkpoint is very similar to airport security checkpoints in that you will be required to place any hand carried items (i.e., purses, briefcases, packages, lunch boxes, umbrellas, etc.) on the black conveyor belt of the x-ray machine. You will also be required to empty your pockets of any metal items (e.g. keys, pens, loose change, cigarette packs, foil wrapped items, wallets, pagers, cell phones) into a plastic basket available at the checkpoint. You will place the plastic basket of items from your pockets on the black conveyor belt. No weapons of any kind will be allowed.
Judge & Juror Volunteer Sign Up (State Championship)
Places to Stay Restaurants Map of Historic Main Street St. Charles
Selected Hotels & Restaurants
Schools Competing at State
1. Rockhurst High School
2. Pembroke Hill
3. Truman High School
4. Grain Valley High School
5. Liberty High School (Liberty, MO)
Out-State Region - 1
1. Marshfield High School
St. Louis Region - 10
1. MICDS
2. Kirkwood High School
3. Cor Jesu Academy
4. St. Louis Priory School
5. Ladue Horton Watkins High School
6. Clayton High School
7. Nerinx Hall
8. Visitation Academy of St. Louis
9. Marquette High School
10. Francis Howell North High School
Alternate: Pattonville High School
Pairings for Preliminary Rounds 1 & 2
Round 1
Friday, March 27, 2020 | 6:00 p.m.
Round 2
Saturday, March 28, 2020 | 8:30 a.m.
Quarterfinal
Saturday, March 28, 2020 | 1:00 p.m.
Semi-Final
Sunday, March 29, 2020 | 8:30 a.m.
Final
Sunday, March 29, 2020 | 12:30 p.m.
The 2020 State Championship was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
