For the first time, Coastal Carolina University’s mock trial team will compete at the Open Round Championship Rounds (ORCS) and have a chance to advance to nationals.
The mock trial team participates in an imitation trial program where students act out rehearsed trials to learn new skills and compete in national competitions. The competition on the college circuit is governed by the American Mock Trial Association, and the ORCS is the first round to get a chance at nationals.
This prepares students not only for competition at the law school level, but also for the actual practice of law. They develop critical thinking skills, argumentation and clear communication. They also learn to analyze complex issues and examine evidence.
Within the team, there are different roles, each requiring different sets of skills and responsibilities. The team is composed of members who divide to represent the prosecution, as well as the defense in a case. When competing against other schools, only Coastal’s prosecution or defense will face trial at a time, making their case against the opposing school’s side.
During the mock trial, the attorneys deliver opening statements, conduct direct examinations of their witnesses, perform cross-examinations of opposing witnesses, make objections and deliver closing arguments. The witnesses play certain characters in the case; they are responsible for staying in character, working with attorneys, answering questions and memorizing the witness’s affidavit.
President of the team, Jacob Rhoden, a senior economics major, has been in the club for the three years it has existed. He said before it was a club, mock trial was a class.
“We have done something as a student organization that like, faculty at the institution itself couldn’t quite achieve ... When your hosting things as a student I think there’s a better connection and you can motivate each other in a different capacity than if it’s just a class that you’re taking to get a GPA,” Rhoden said.
Vice President Elena Ras, a junior intelligence and security studies major, said the experiences and skills gained from being a part of the mock trial team are beneficial.
“When I go to law school, I’ll have a jump on everyone who didn’t do a mock trial. It just sets you up for success, not even in law school, but not even grad school, like any field you want to do,” Ras said. “it just develops such a wide range of skills, and I just think that’s the biggest reason I tell people do it, it’s like it will develop every single one of the skills you are not confident in.”
Treasurer Jason Dong, a sophomore double major in accounting and philosophy, spoke on his experiences as a member of the mock trial team and why he joined.
“I think in the mock trial, you learn a lot about how the actual court process will work,” Dong said. “I think that it is very important, and in any aspect of like business, and in your normal life, I think it’s a useful aspect to know, and that’s why I was interested.”
Rhoden emphasizes these shared points when encouraging new members to join the Coastal mock trial team, as well as new opportunities as the club continues to advance.
“If there’s any students at Coastal who wants to learn more about the law, practice public speaking skills or develop a lot of these specific career skillsets, join the Mock Trial Club,” Rhoden said. “We’re growing; we are always accepting new members year-round. You get to travel with us; you get to experience a lot of different unique experiences that you wouldn’t be able to if you weren’t a part of our club.”
The mock trial team is currently raising funds through a GoFundMe fundraiser, which the team said will help make it possible to travel for the ORCS by contributing toward travel, lodging, and registration fees. Hopeful to advance to nationals and make Coastal history, the team prepares for their next day in court.
