15th annual 2025 high school mock trials
coaches corner
Updates
Greetings everyone, We were so very dissappointed to have to cancel this years mock trials! We did the best with the information at hand when we made the decision. It is my hope that everyone is safe even now with the weather so very cold. We wish you the best in your season and hope to see you next year! Mary
updated 2-18 - Corrected MaineSouth Assistant Coach Name & note above
updated 2-8 - Mock Trial Round Times and Matchups below
updated 2-7 - 2nd Team Invitation List
updated 2-3-2025 - Teams listing with 2nd teams coming
updated 1-31-2025 - parking & team information directly below
updated 2-8 - Mock Trial Round Times and Matchups below
updated 2-7 - 2nd Team Invitation List
updated 2-3-2025 - Teams listing with 2nd teams coming
updated 1-31-2025 - parking & team information directly below
Welcome Coaches and Staff!
We had 22 schools register for our tournament this year. 11 schools asking to register 2 teams. Because of the limited space of the courthouse, we are only able to have 26 teams competing. It is a nice problem to have, but I always hate turning away teams because I think our tournament offers something that many cannot. But facts are facts, and so, here is a list of the teams that will be bringing 2 teams. I don’t know exactly the logistics for getting extra teams down here, but I will say, there has not been a year where something hasn’t happened. Broken buses, bad weather, sick kids, we have seen it all.
Usually, we either lose a court room or come up with a mixture of students on a team. If you have 2 teams, but did not make the list, I would love to know if it is possible to bring your other team. Chances are, we will need a team to fill in, history indicates that the odds are 100%. I don’t think we need 4 back up teams and the facilities really don’t have room for that many extra, but if you can bring an extra team and let us know, that is something we have not tried in the past that may smooth out some of the rough starts we find in the morning.
And so everyone knows. There is a 2-week jury trial set in February in a shooting case. They are expecting it to take at least 8 days. The two weeks of our local jury calendar includes two holidays. There is a chance we may be told that they will be using the courtroom the day of our tournament, even though it is a holiday, to get the trial completed. There was one year in which this happened before. If we are going to lose a courtroom, we have the option of not having two teams compete, or we may put them in a basement conference room for that round. We will have to play this by ear. I will not know until the Monday before the tournament if the trial is going or if they will have court during the holiday.
I can hardly believe we are already here again. We are excited to have another successful tournament and see everyone compete. Please let us know if you have any questions as we all prepare for February 12th.
From Matthew Koetters the Event Organizer.
We had 22 schools register for our tournament this year. 11 schools asking to register 2 teams. Because of the limited space of the courthouse, we are only able to have 26 teams competing. It is a nice problem to have, but I always hate turning away teams because I think our tournament offers something that many cannot. But facts are facts, and so, here is a list of the teams that will be bringing 2 teams. I don’t know exactly the logistics for getting extra teams down here, but I will say, there has not been a year where something hasn’t happened. Broken buses, bad weather, sick kids, we have seen it all.
Usually, we either lose a court room or come up with a mixture of students on a team. If you have 2 teams, but did not make the list, I would love to know if it is possible to bring your other team. Chances are, we will need a team to fill in, history indicates that the odds are 100%. I don’t think we need 4 back up teams and the facilities really don’t have room for that many extra, but if you can bring an extra team and let us know, that is something we have not tried in the past that may smooth out some of the rough starts we find in the morning.
And so everyone knows. There is a 2-week jury trial set in February in a shooting case. They are expecting it to take at least 8 days. The two weeks of our local jury calendar includes two holidays. There is a chance we may be told that they will be using the courtroom the day of our tournament, even though it is a holiday, to get the trial completed. There was one year in which this happened before. If we are going to lose a courtroom, we have the option of not having two teams compete, or we may put them in a basement conference room for that round. We will have to play this by ear. I will not know until the Monday before the tournament if the trial is going or if they will have court during the holiday.
I can hardly believe we are already here again. We are excited to have another successful tournament and see everyone compete. Please let us know if you have any questions as we all prepare for February 12th.
- Maine South High School (2nd Team Invitation-Accepted)
- Normal Community High School (2nd Team Invitation-Accepted)
- Normal West High School (2nd Team Invitation-Accepted)
- Whitney M. Young Magnet High School (2nd Team Invitation-Accepted)
- Adlai E Stevenson High School
- Bartlett High School (Bringing a 2nd Team)
- Bloomington High School
- Boylan Catholic School
- Chicago Christian High School
- College Preparatory School of America [CPSA]
- Crescent MCCA
- De La Salle Institute
- Dunlap High School
- Evanston Township High School (Bringing a 2nd Team)
- Homewood-Flossmoor High School (Bringing a 2nd Team)
- LaSalle Peru Township High School
- Maine South High School
- Niles North
- Niles West High School
- Normal Community High School
- Normal West High School
- Pittsfield High School
- Southland College Prep High School
- St. Charles East High School
- Whitney M. Young Magnet High School
- York Community High School
From Matthew Koetters the Event Organizer.
new this year - second team complimentary involvement
* We were able to invite and commit to four 2nd teams as we are limited by courthouse space.
* In the past we have noticed several teams unable to attend at the last moment due to illness and/or bus breakdowns and/or weather.
* This is the first year of experimenting with the complimentary 2nd team involvement.
* If your second team decides to attend and is not on the official team matchup listing, please plan to have them observe unless there is a slot that opens.
* Likely we will not know until the day of the tourney which second team, if any, will be able to replace a team on the matchup listing.
* A suggestion from Coach Rich - Maybe the second teams that attend and don't make it into the tournament can have a space to scrimmage? Mary is working on a location for this.
Schedule Updates
Be sure that your contact cell phone numbers are correct as listed below.
Be sure that your contact cell phone numbers are correct as listed below.
Local Food Delivery Options
You will be located at:
The Law & Justice Center
104 West Front St., Bloomington, IL
Security Procedures for Deliveries:
1. The deliver people are not allowed inside of the L&J Center.
2. You will need to go down to security in the front lobby and pick up the delivery.
3. I suggest having the delivery person text you when they arrive so you can send a person or three to pick up the food.
You will be located at:
The Law & Justice Center
104 West Front St., Bloomington, IL
Security Procedures for Deliveries:
1. The deliver people are not allowed inside of the L&J Center.
2. You will need to go down to security in the front lobby and pick up the delivery.
3. I suggest having the delivery person text you when they arrive so you can send a person or three to pick up the food.
There are water, pop and snack machines within the building. They take coins, paper dollars and some take credit cards now.
Law & Justice Center Guidelines for all Visitors
Please know that each person will be required to pass through security. This means that it may take a while for each team and visitors to come through the line. I'm not sure that we have had this requirement in years past. This will take time.
With that said, please know that the doors open at 8:00 am. You are welcome to come any time after that. I encourage you to come early if your schedule allows. More details to come on check-in.
With that said, please know that the doors open at 8:00 am. You are welcome to come any time after that. I encourage you to come early if your schedule allows. More details to come on check-in.
Cell Phones Guidelines for all visitors
Please be sure all students and all visitors are aware of these guides.
From our Court Security Chief Officer:
* Cell phones are OK as long as everyone understands not to be using them in the courthouse except for school business.
* No videos, pictures, texting, social media use, etc.
* If a school Administrator/Teacher wants to video some of the trials, that can be the only an exception.
* No videos, pictures, texting, social media use, etc.
* If a school Administrator/Teacher wants to video some of the trials, that can be the only an exception.
There is an important note that this year it is imperative to monitor the round time closely so that each team has an equal chance.
The rounds begin promptly at 9:30 a.m., 11:15 a.m., and 2:15 p.m.
There will be a Coach/Team Lead meeting at 9:00 am on the 5th Floor Jury Assembly Room.
The Mock Trial tournament will be held in 3rd, 4th and 5th floor courtrooms of the Law & Justice Center located at 104 W. Front Street, Bloomington, Illinois.
There will be a Coach/Team Lead meeting at 9:00 am on the 5th Floor Jury Assembly Room.
The Mock Trial tournament will be held in 3rd, 4th and 5th floor courtrooms of the Law & Justice Center located at 104 W. Front Street, Bloomington, Illinois.
2025 Teams
last updated 2-3-2025
The preference for the 2nd Team slots have been given to the downstate schools and then the other 2nd team slots were drawn out of the hat.
[2nd Team-confirmed] = We were able to invite [4] 2nd Teams this year. We are restricted by courtroom space. Three of the four teams have accepted and will be posted on the tournament schedule. An update to come.
[2nd Team] = This school is volunteering to bring a second team.
This is the first year of hosting this option. This 2nd team will not be listed on the tournament schedule. If a scheduled team is unable to attend at the last moment due to illness or a bus breakdown, then one of these 2nd teams will be drawn out of a hat. The remaining teams are welcome to sit in the courtroom and observe or participate in an unstructured scrimmage somewhere in the building.
[2nd Team-confirmed] = We were able to invite [4] 2nd Teams this year. We are restricted by courtroom space. Three of the four teams have accepted and will be posted on the tournament schedule. An update to come.
[2nd Team] = This school is volunteering to bring a second team.
This is the first year of hosting this option. This 2nd team will not be listed on the tournament schedule. If a scheduled team is unable to attend at the last moment due to illness or a bus breakdown, then one of these 2nd teams will be drawn out of a hat. The remaining teams are welcome to sit in the courtroom and observe or participate in an unstructured scrimmage somewhere in the building.
Adlai E. Stevenson High
Bartlett High [2nd Team]
Bloomington High - NEW to the 2025 tournament
Boylan Catholic High School - NEW to the 2025 tournament
Chicago Christian High
College Preparatory School of America [CPSA]
De La Salle Institute
Dunlap High
Evanston Township High School - NEW to the 2025 tournament [2nd Team]
Homewood-Flossmoor High [2nd Team]
LaSalle Peru Township High
Maine South High [2nd Team-confirmed]
MCCA - NEW to the 2025 tournament
Niles North High - NEW to the 2025 tournament
Niles West High
Normal Community High [2nd Team-confirmed]
Normal West High [2nd Team-confirmed]
Pittsfield High
Southland College Prep High
St. Charles East High [2nd Team-Invited]
Whitney M. Young Magnet High
York Community High
Bartlett High [2nd Team]
Bloomington High - NEW to the 2025 tournament
Boylan Catholic High School - NEW to the 2025 tournament
Chicago Christian High
College Preparatory School of America [CPSA]
De La Salle Institute
Dunlap High
Evanston Township High School - NEW to the 2025 tournament [2nd Team]
Homewood-Flossmoor High [2nd Team]
LaSalle Peru Township High
Maine South High [2nd Team-confirmed]
MCCA - NEW to the 2025 tournament
Niles North High - NEW to the 2025 tournament
Niles West High
Normal Community High [2nd Team-confirmed]
Normal West High [2nd Team-confirmed]
Pittsfield High
Southland College Prep High
St. Charles East High [2nd Team-Invited]
Whitney M. Young Magnet High
York Community High
participating & registered schools, coach name & cell number
last updated 2-18-2025
Adlai E Stevenson High School - Brian Oberhauser - 708.308.8551
Bartlett High School - Richard Johnson - 630.400.7678
Bloomington High School - Stacy Benjamin - 309.824.6885
Boylan Catholic High School - Stephen Langley - 815.988.4937
Chicago Christian High School - Mike Drury - 616.648.5056
College Preparatory School of America [CPSA] - Asim Gaffar - 630.405.3846
De La Salle Institute - Paul Dirschl - 708.307.4581
Dunlap High School - Lisa Vogal - 309.258.6153
Evanston Township High School - Lem Washington - 773.939.1914
Homewood-Flossmoor High School - Libby Day - 256.684.5443
LaSalle Peru Township High School - Melissa Olivero & Brian - 815.252.4429
Maine South High School - Don McArthur & Valerie Fresh - 630.817.8990
MCC Academy - Saima Sanaullah - 773.852.0080
Niles West High School - Rick Rosenberg & Mike Pinsof - 847.322.0479
Normal Community High School - Kevin Shackley - 309.391.4184
Normal West High School - John Bierbaum - 309.838.9034
Pittsfield High School - Walker Filbert - 217.371.0636
St. Chasles East High School - William Stepien - 331.442.5725
Southland College Prep High School - Sherry Grutzius - 773.403.1647
Whitney M. Young Magnet High School - Ronald S. Rodgers - 773.519.6516
York Commnty High School - Amy Mueller - 847.942.6472
Bartlett High School - Richard Johnson - 630.400.7678
Bloomington High School - Stacy Benjamin - 309.824.6885
Boylan Catholic High School - Stephen Langley - 815.988.4937
Chicago Christian High School - Mike Drury - 616.648.5056
College Preparatory School of America [CPSA] - Asim Gaffar - 630.405.3846
De La Salle Institute - Paul Dirschl - 708.307.4581
Dunlap High School - Lisa Vogal - 309.258.6153
Evanston Township High School - Lem Washington - 773.939.1914
Homewood-Flossmoor High School - Libby Day - 256.684.5443
LaSalle Peru Township High School - Melissa Olivero & Brian - 815.252.4429
Maine South High School - Don McArthur & Valerie Fresh - 630.817.8990
MCC Academy - Saima Sanaullah - 773.852.0080
Niles West High School - Rick Rosenberg & Mike Pinsof - 847.322.0479
Normal Community High School - Kevin Shackley - 309.391.4184
Normal West High School - John Bierbaum - 309.838.9034
Pittsfield High School - Walker Filbert - 217.371.0636
St. Chasles East High School - William Stepien - 331.442.5725
Southland College Prep High School - Sherry Grutzius - 773.403.1647
Whitney M. Young Magnet High School - Ronald S. Rodgers - 773.519.6516
York Commnty High School - Amy Mueller - 847.942.6472
2025 parking
updated 1-31-2025
vehicle
Vehicle garage parking is located on the east side of the Law & Justice Center.
There is a charge of $1/hour which unfortunately the buss parking permit does not cover the cost of the parking garage.
There is a charge of $1/hour which unfortunately the buss parking permit does not cover the cost of the parking garage.
Coach/Team Leader meeting
Time: 9:00 am at the 5th Floor Jury Assembly Room
Time: 9:00 am at the 5th Floor Jury Assembly Room
Awards announced from 4:00 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. Everyone is welcome to stay for these awards.
Time limits are imperative to the success of this program.
2025 mock trial forms and information
- MCBA-ISBA Regional Mock Trial Agenda - to come
- ISBA Mock Trial Website Resources - Problem, exhibits, handbook and additional resources here.
- Rules Summary - to come
- Evaluator Score Sheet
- Presiding Score Sheet
- Time Sheet
- Judges' Questionnaire
Appellate Court Oral Argument at ISU - march 25, 2025
The ISU Department of Politics & Government and the McLean County Bar Association will host oral argument for two cases before the Illinois Appellate Court for the Fourth District on Tuesday, March 25 in the Bone Student Center. The arguments are set for 10:00 and 11:00 a.m. Doors open at 9:00 a.m. for the first argument and 10:45 for the second argument. No one will be admitted once arguments begin.
The two cases set for argument are the following:
10:00 a.m. People v. Barton McNeil
11:00 a.m. People v. James Snow
This year, the argument will return to the Prairie Room, located on the second floor of the Bone Student Center, Illinois State University.
10:00 a.m. People v. Barton McNeil
11:00 a.m. People v. James Snow
This year, the argument will return to the Prairie Room, located on the second floor of the Bone Student Center, Illinois State University.
