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About Our Team
The Fresno State Mock Trial Program is a competitive organization that promotes the ideals of law and the judicial system through participation in intercollegiate competitions known as ‘Mock Trials’. Unlike most extracurricular programs, our Mock Trial program can also be taken as a three-unit criminology course.
During the competition, students take the roles of witnesses and attorneys, performing opening statements, closing arguments, and direct and cross-examinations before a panel of scoring judges. Competition for the entire academic year revolves around a single civil or criminal case, which is released by the American Mock Trial Association (AMTA).
Each trial simulates an actual jury trial and consists of two teams, with one team representing the plaintiff/prosecution, and one team representing the defense. Each team offers opening statements, witness examinations, and closing arguments. Teams are scored on their ability to present a persuasive and professionally delivered case theory. Lawyers and witnesses on both sides must be able to think quickly on their feet and reconstruct their case as the trial develops. Trials are always fast-paced, suspenseful, and exhilarating.
What We Do
Aside from learning important legal procedures, strategies, and developing valuable public speaking skills, team members have the privilege of traveling across the country to compete in invitationals and tournaments, often forging lasting friendships and professional connections along the way. We have participated in events stretching from UCLA to Yale and everywhere in between.
How can your donations help Fresno State's Mock Trial Team?
Your donations can be used towards competition registration costs, traveling expenses, competition materials, and more!
Here is What a Normal Tournament Setting Looks Like!
Below are Images from After Tournaments!
In 2010, Sydney Park invited classmate Jesse Duran to hang out at the Parks’ home. Both children were 11 years old. The Parks keep a gun in their home. That morning, the gun was discharged, killing one of the children. The victim's parents have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the shooter's parent. 2015 Andy and Lee Park v. Hayden Duran
On September 24, 2010, Vanessa Sullivan, daughter of Midlands’ most prominent prosecutor, celebrated her 21st birthday with two friends, Taylor Hopson and Danny Dawson, at Chuggie’s Sports Bar. After several hours of celebration at the bar, the three left in a car driven by Dawson. On the way home, Dawson lost control of the car, resulting in a crash in which Sullivan was killed. 2012 State of Midlands v Danny Dawson
On November 30, 2006, Child Protective Services worker Don/Dawn Francis arrived at the home of Bobbi Campbell to remove a child from Bobbi’s care. Upon arrival, Francis entered the location and defendant Campbell stabbed Francis with a needle infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. Campbell subsequently entered into an open Alford guilty plea on the single charge of Assault in the Second Degree and retained the right to a jury sentence recommendation. A penalty phase will now be conducted. The State will present evidence of aggravation and the defense may present evidence of mitigation. The penalty range is five to thirty years. 2008 State of Midlands v Bobbi Campbell
Riley Winter is a prominent professional writer. On December 23, 2015, Winter was fired from Winter's job at the defendant's magazine. Winter contends that the termination violated the Midlands Age Discrimination Act. Winter was 50 years old at the time of termination. 2017 Riley Winter v. TBD, Inc.
Dakota Sutcliffe was originally charged with and convicted of felony murder. The State of Midlands has indicted Sutcliffe on one count of Aggravated Arson for the burning of Chuggie’s Bar and the death of a local firefighter, Jaylen Williams. Chuggie’s Bar is located at 101 Bluewood Blvd within the municipal corporation of Midlands Center, Midlands. State of Midlands v. Dakota Sutcliffe
Chuggie’s bar, owned by this year’s case defendant Dakota Sutcliffe, maximum capacity is most likely around 150 people. State of Midlands v. Dakota Sutcliffe
There are over 200 rules within our American Mock Trial Association Rulebook that our teams must know and follow during competitions.
In this years case, the defendant Dakota Sutcliffe, owner of Chuggie’s bar, spent $250 on Skinny’s Paint Thinner. Could this have been the accelerant used to burn down Chuggies bar? State of Midlands v. Dakota Sutcliffe
In this year’s case defendant, Dakota Sutcliffe is charged with aggravated arson in violation of §18-402 of the Midlands Penal Code.
