About the Championship
Who we are
The National High School Mock Trial Championship (NHSMTC) represents the culmination of mock trial programs across the United States and its territories, plus South Korea. Each participating team has advanced through rigorous local and state competitions to earn the opportunity to represent its state at the national level.
At the Championship, students take on the roles of attorneys and witnesses, presenting a fictional legal case in a series of judged rounds. Each performance is evaluated by panels of attorneys and judges, who assess advocacy, witness portrayal, and overall case presentation.
The result is a competition that is both academically rigorous and deeply engaging, challenging students to think critically, communicate persuasively, and perform under pressure.
Mission
The mission of the National High School Mock Trial Championship, Inc., is to promote an understanding and appreciation of the American judicial system through academic competitions and other endeavors for students..
Goals
The goals of the National High School Mock Trial Championship, Inc. through mock trials are: To promote greater understanding and appreciation for the rule of law and the American judicial system; to refine life skills, such as reading, speaking and listening; to develop high level skills, such as critical thinking and written and oral advocacy; to heighten appreciation for trial by jury and the principle of equal justice for all; to improve communication and cooperation among community members, including educators, government and business leaders, and legal professionals; to enhance awareness of current legal issues; and to encourage interaction among students of diverse backgrounds.
Statement of values
The rule of law is the enduring promise of our constitutional democracy: the ideal that justice must belong to all and that every person is entitled to its protection. Mock trial transforms the rule of law from a civic ideal to a lived experience, inviting participants to actively engage with the legal system and to realize that the law’s promise is strongest when every voice is heard.
To live up to that ideal, the National High School Mock Trial Championship is committed to creating a space where all participants are safe, welcome, and can expect to thrive.
Our mock trial community makes this promise to you, lived not as policy but as practice: if you are a participant in the National High School Mock Trial Championship, you belong here.
Our history
The National High School Mock Trial Championship began in 1984 in Des Moines, Iowa, with teams from Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Wisconsin participating in the inaugural competition.
Following the success of that first tournament, interest quickly expanded. Additional states joined in subsequent years, and the event evolved into what was then known as an “All-State” tournament. In 1985, the competition moved to Lincoln, Nebraska, where participation grew to include 10 states, marking an early step toward the national model that exists today. See a list of all hosts here.
Over the decades, the Championship has continued to grow, with nearly every state and jurisdiction now represented. Each year, a different state hosts the competition, reflecting the collaborative nature of mock trial programs across the country. The Championship has built a legacy of excellence defined by the thousands of students who have developed confidence, leadership, and a deeper understanding of the justice system through their participation.
Our impact
Mock trial is more than a competition. It’s a transformative educational experience.
Each year, more than 100,000 high school students participate in mock trial programs nationwide, making it one of the most impactful experiential learning opportunities in civic education. Students who participate in mock trial develop analytical reasoning and critical thinking skills, public speaking and advocacy skills, confidence in high-pressure environments, plus a deeper understanding of the judicial system.
Whether you are a student, educator, legal professional, or supporter of civic education, there are many ways to engage with the National High School Mock Trial Championship.
Get involved!
The goals of the National High School Mock Trial Championship, Inc. through mock trials are: To promote greater understanding and appreciation for the rule of law and the American judicial system; to refine life skills, such as reading, speaking and listening; to develop high level skills, such as critical thinking and written and oral advocacy; to heighten appreciation for trial by jury and the principle of equal justice for all; to improve communication and cooperation among community members, including educators, government and business leaders, and legal professionals; to enhance awareness of current legal issues; and to encourage interaction among students of diverse backgrounds.
Statement of values
The rule of law is the enduring promise of our constitutional democracy: the ideal that justice must belong to all and that every person is entitled to its protection. Mock trial transforms the rule of law from a civic ideal to a lived experience, inviting participants to actively engage with the legal system and to realize that the law’s promise is strongest when every voice is heard.
To live up to that ideal, the National High School Mock Trial Championship is committed to creating a space where all participants are safe, welcome, and can expect to thrive.
Our mock trial community makes this promise to you, lived not as policy but as practice: if you are a participant in the National High School Mock Trial Championship, you belong here.
Our history
The National High School Mock Trial Championship began in 1984 in Des Moines, Iowa, with teams from Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Wisconsin participating in the inaugural competition.
Following the success of that first tournament, interest quickly expanded. Additional states joined in subsequent years, and the event evolved into what was then known as an “All-State” tournament. In 1985, the competition moved to Lincoln, Nebraska, where participation grew to include 10 states, marking an early step toward the national model that exists today. See a list of all hosts here.
Over the decades, the Championship has continued to grow, with nearly every state and jurisdiction now represented. Each year, a different state hosts the competition, reflecting the collaborative nature of mock trial programs across the country. The Championship has built a legacy of excellence defined by the thousands of students who have developed confidence, leadership, and a deeper understanding of the justice system through their participation.
Our impact
Mock trial is more than a competition. It’s a transformative educational experience.
Each year, more than 100,000 high school students participate in mock trial programs nationwide, making it one of the most impactful experiential learning opportunities in civic education. Students who participate in mock trial develop analytical reasoning and critical thinking skills, public speaking and advocacy skills, confidence in high-pressure environments, plus a deeper understanding of the judicial system.
Whether you are a student, educator, legal professional, or supporter of civic education, there are many ways to engage with the National High School Mock Trial Championship.
Get involved!
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