August 2020 Update
Dear Mock Trial students, teacher and attorney-coaches, parents and activity directors,
The 2020 school year is unprecedented and there are many changes including the Judge Lyle Strom High School Mock Trial season. In these uncertain times, everyone is craving a sense of certainty. We want everyone to know that we are offering High School Mock Trial; however, it will be different this year.
Mock Trial is going to be a winter/spring activity this year. The current school situation is fluid and ever-changing. The Bar Foundation wants to give everyone associated with schools time to gather their bearings before participating in this extracurricular educational program.
Like many other states, Mock Trial will be taking place via Zoom or another online alternative. While we would like to hold trials in-person, it is becoming less and less possible. Currently, there are building restrictions associated with accessing courthouses and the use of schools for extracurricular activities. Therefore, we are moving ahead with an online option. As mentioned above, Covid-19 is everchanging. At this point in time, we are planning that the State Championship will also be online – unless things drastically change.
The technical aspect of Mock Trial this year is causing us to limit the number of teams that can participate from each school. Each school is allowed to have up to two teams.
- Current Mock Trial Season for 2020/2021:
- Case released on October 1, 2020 and teams can start to practice
- Team registration deadline is October 16, 2020 (Registration link is coming soon!)
- Regional competitions will take place January 11-February 26, 2021
- State Championship will be the week of March 3rd, 2021
- Nationals is scheduled for May 13-15, 2021
The dates are fluid and can change due to Covid-19.
Unlike previous years, all the organizing and coordinating of the Regional Competitions will be handled by the Nebraska State Bar Foundation. We will schedule all the trials, secure the volunteers, and coordinate the Zoom times. Of course, we will continue to work with the local Regional Coordinators.
A Mock Trial team can participate from one room (at school) or as a team from each individual student’s home. Obviously, It is preferred for teams to be in one room. However, we are aware that there are certain areas of Nebraska that are already doing distance learning from home.
Our first objective is the safety and health of the students and the coaches. Additionally, we want our volunteer judges, many of whom are in the high-risk category, to be safe. Currently, this is the best way for Mock Trial to move forward.
This is not what the Bar Foundation envisioned for the 2020-2021 Mock Trial Competition. However, we must adapt and follow the health directives. The bottom line is we are still offering a way to compete in Mock Trial.
Please check the Foundation website – www.nebarfnd.org/civics-education/mock-trial for future updates, case materials and registration information.
We hope that you will participate in the Judge Lyle Strom High School Mock Trial Season!
Questions? Please contact Doris Huffman at doris [at] nebarfnd.org