2026 high school mock trials
volunteer evaluators & judges
the registration form is at the bottom of this page
Volunteers are a central component to the success of our competition. The students travel from all over the state of Illinois to participate in this annual event. This event offers a unique opportunity not found in other Mock Trials competitions. The student opportunities include receiving the caring feedback from you - attorneys, paralegals, and judges. Your insights inspire the next generation. Thank you for considering giving of your time and talents!
As a show of appreciation for your time, a free 1 hour general CLE is offered along with breakfast and lunch.
The details and volunteer registration are listed below.
Thank you, again, for your consideration!
As a show of appreciation for your time, a free 1 hour general CLE is offered along with breakfast and lunch.
The details and volunteer registration are listed below.
Thank you, again, for your consideration!
volunteers - location, date, and schedule
Thursday, February 12, 2026
The 2026 High School Mock Trials Tournament will be held in 3rd, 4th and 5th floor courtrooms of the Law & Justice Center located at 104 W. Front Street, Bloomington, Illinois. The schedule is listed below. Please feel free to participate in as much or as little as your schedule allows. If you need to choose between the morning or afternoon, we always need more help in the mornings.
8.15 am - 9.15 am A continental breakfast will be served in the 5th Floor Jury Assembly Room
8.30 am - 9.00 am A Volunteer Training/Refresher in the 5th Floor Jury Assembly Room
9.00 am - High School Coach & Captains & Runners Meeting in the 5th Floor Jury Assembly Room
9.15 am - Please find your seat in your assigned Court Room
9.30 am - 10.45 am Round 1 - at 10.45 am - please send your tabulated results with the runners to the 5th Floor Jury Assembly Rm
11.15 am - 12.30 am Round 2 - at 12.30 am - please send your tabulated results with the runners to the 5th Floor Jury Assembly Rm
12.45 am - 1.45 pm Free Lunch & CLE - please find your seat for the final round if you are staying
2.00 pm - 3.15 pm Round 3 - at 3.15 am - please send your tabulated results with the runners to the 5th Floor Jury Assembly Rm
3.45 pm - 4.15 pm Awards - 5th Floor Jury Assembly Room
[If you have never stayed to observe the Awards, this is an awesome culmination of the day's activities. Please consider staying.]
8.15 am - 9.15 am A continental breakfast will be served in the 5th Floor Jury Assembly Room
8.30 am - 9.00 am A Volunteer Training/Refresher in the 5th Floor Jury Assembly Room
9.00 am - High School Coach & Captains & Runners Meeting in the 5th Floor Jury Assembly Room
9.15 am - Please find your seat in your assigned Court Room
9.30 am - 10.45 am Round 1 - at 10.45 am - please send your tabulated results with the runners to the 5th Floor Jury Assembly Rm
11.15 am - 12.30 am Round 2 - at 12.30 am - please send your tabulated results with the runners to the 5th Floor Jury Assembly Rm
12.45 am - 1.45 pm Free Lunch & CLE - please find your seat for the final round if you are staying
2.00 pm - 3.15 pm Round 3 - at 3.15 am - please send your tabulated results with the runners to the 5th Floor Jury Assembly Rm
3.45 pm - 4.15 pm Awards - 5th Floor Jury Assembly Room
[If you have never stayed to observe the Awards, this is an awesome culmination of the day's activities. Please consider staying.]
mock trial rounds and volunteer needs
Please remember to monitor the round time closely so that each team has an equal chance to participate.
|
Round 1 9:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
Judges & Evaluators will be assigned to rounds once applications are received. You will be notified when you have been assigned as a judge or evaluator and of which rounds you will be involved with. |
Round 2 11:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Judges & Evaluators will be assigned to rounds once applications are received. You will be notified when you have been assigned as a judge or evaluator and of which rounds you will be involved with. |
Round 3 2:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.
Judges & Evaluators will be assigned to rounds once applications are received. You will be notified when you have been assigned as a judge or evaluator and of which rounds you will be involved with. |
mock trial forms and problem information
- 2026 MCBA-ISBA Regional Mock Trial Volunteer Agenda
- ISBA Mock Trial Website Resources - Problem, exhibits, handbook and additional resources here.
- 2026 Rules Summary
- Evaluator Score Sheet
- Presiding Score Sheet
- Time Sheet 2026
- Judges' Questionnaire
cle information
Should Illinois Stop Implicit Bias in Jury Selection?
Presented by:
Thomas E. McClure, J.D., M.S.,
Professor Emeritus in Legal Studies and Political Science, Illinois State University
Thomas E. McClure, J.D., M.S.,
Professor Emeritus in Legal Studies and Political Science, Illinois State University
[up to 1 hour general CLE pending approval]
The free CLE and lunch will be held from 12.45 pm - 1.45 pm for the volunteers.
In 1986, the U.S. Supreme Court in Batson v. Kentucky promulgated a three-step process that trial judges must apply to determine whether the prosecution’s peremptory challenges were based on racial discrimination. The procedure remains the law in Illinois in both criminal and civil cases.
This CLE program first analyzes Batson and its progeny to show how the three-step test is interpreted and has expanded to other circumstances. It also will analyze the factors that the Illinois Supreme Court requires circuit courts to apply to determine whether a challenger has proved a prima facie case of discrimination. The presentation will next examine how to lay the groundwork for a discrimination challenge in voir dire as well as how to present a Batson objection. Finally, the program will examine how other states have modified the Batson three-step process to prevent implicit bias in jury selection.
This CLE program first analyzes Batson and its progeny to show how the three-step test is interpreted and has expanded to other circumstances. It also will analyze the factors that the Illinois Supreme Court requires circuit courts to apply to determine whether a challenger has proved a prima facie case of discrimination. The presentation will next examine how to lay the groundwork for a discrimination challenge in voir dire as well as how to present a Batson objection. Finally, the program will examine how other states have modified the Batson three-step process to prevent implicit bias in jury selection.
This event would not be possible if it weren't for the support of
The McLean County Bar Association
and
The Eleventh Judicial Trial Courts
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