2009 Rule Changes
The following language in italics are rule changes for the 2009 season and are in effect until further notice.
Rule 1.2 Code of Conduct:
The rules of competition as well as proper rules of courthouse and courtroom decorum and security, must be followed. Coaches, spectators and students alike are expected to work with one another on a professional level at all times. The MSBA possesses discretion to impose sanctions, up to and including forfeiture or disqualification, for any misconduct, flagrant rule violations or breaches of decorum which affect the conduct of a trial or which impugn the reputation or integrity of any team, school, participant, court officer, judge or the mock trial program.Rule 3.1 School and Student Eligibility:
To participate in the competition schools must return a completed entry form and registration fee for each team entered. In addition to the registration fee, a $50.00 late drop deposit is required to register for the season. The late drop deposit will be refunded to teams that remain in the tournament after the team drop-out deadline. Teams may opt to apply the current year’s late drop deposit refund to next year’s late drop deposit. Any team that drops out of the tournament after the drop-out deadline forfeits their late drop deposit. Registration forms received after October 17 will not be guaranteed trials in the competition.Rule 3.2 Team Composition:
Each team must consist of at least eight primary members; three witnesses, three attorneys, a timekeeper and one alternate. In any given round of competition, seven students must participate. There is no limit to the total number of students who can be members of the team.At least two students on the team must participate in a scoring role in every round for which the team qualifies. Once a student has participated in a scoring role on a team, that student cannot participate on another team for the remainder of the rounds for which the team qualifies. A student need not participate in the same scoring role in each round.
A scoring role is defined as an attorney or witness that receives a score during a round.
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Each team may include as many as three 7th and 8th grade students per round. These students may participate in scoring or non-scoring roles.
Rule 4.1 Courtroom Setting:
4. C.: Teams should be advised that some courthouses prohibit cell phones on the premises. Courthouses do not have provisions to store them during trials and teams (including students, coaches and spectators) should be prepared to follow courthouse policy.
Rule 4.6 Timekeeping:
Time does not stop for introduction of exhibits. If at any point during the trial time expires any timekeeper should say “stop” aloud for the court and parties to hear at the point of time expiration. Failure of a timekeeper to say “stop” aloud for the court and parties to hear will be considered a waiver of the time violation.
Rule 4.17 Objections During Opening Statement/Closing Argument:
If a team believes an objection would have been proper during the opposing team’s opening statement or closing argument, one of its attorneys may, following the opening statement or closing argument, stand to be recognized by the judge and may say, “If I had been permitted to object during closing arguments, I would have objected to the opposing team’s statement that _____.” The presiding judge will not rule on this “objection,” but all of the judges will weigh the “objection” individually and use their scores to reflect whether they believe a rules violation has occurred. A brief response by the opposing team will be heard under the presiding judge’s discretion.
Rule 4.2 Procedure for Introduction of Exhibits:
- Ask for permission to approach the bench. Show the presiding judge the marked exhibit. “Your honor, may I approach the bench to show you what has been marked as Exhibit No.__?” (Because judges may not have seen the evidence, this rule departs from real life trial procedure)
Rule 5.4 Completion of Score Sheets:
Score sheets are to be completed individually by each judge without consultation with the other judges. Each scoring judge shall record a number of point (1-10) for each presentation of the trial. At the end of the trial, each judge shall total the sum of each team’s individual point and place this sum in the Column Totals box. The Mock Trial Manager has the authority to correct any mathematical errors on score sheets. The coach of the winning team from each trial shall e-mail the scores from the trial to the Mock Trial Manager as soon as possible.