Teams from 45 high schools throughout the state will participate in the 38th annual Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) High School Mock Trial Invitational March 14-15 at the University of Illinois College of Law in Champaign.

The top eight teams will compete in the final round on March 15 for the state championship. The winner will represent Illinois at the National High School Mock Trial Championship in Evansville, Indiana.

“The mock trial competition provides a unique opportunity for students across the state to learn analytical skills and to display those skills through the presentation of persuasive questioning and compelling arguments,” said Stephen Iden, of Springfield, chair of the ISBA’s Standing Committee on Law Related Education for the Public, which administers the program. “The competition also teaches the basic principles and processes of the judicial system.  Participation in the event improves self-confidence, public speaking skills, and poise, all of which will serve the students well regardless of their future career paths.”

Each team tries both sides – plaintiff and defense – of a hypothetical case developed by the ISBA Committee. This year's case is a civil case involving a driver who lost control of the car and drove off the side of the road, striking a tow truck that was parked on the right side of the road with its hazard lights flashing. The plaintiff, Dakota Young, was injured and has sued the defendant, Riley Miller, for several claims.

Students will assume the roles of attorneys and witnesses, and a panel of Illinois lawyers and judges, along with members of the ISBA Law Related Education Committee, will evaluate and score the students' performances.  The students must also take a written test about the issues of the case and basic legal principles.

The High School Mock Trial Invitational has been conducted each year since 1982 by the ISBA to provide Illinois high school students an interesting and challenging way to gain insight into the American judicial system. The 2020 event is co-sponsored by Illinois LEARN, Inc. 

PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS:

• Adlai E. Stevenson HS, Lincolnshire
• Bartlett HS, Bartlett
• Buffalo Grove HS, Buffalo Grove 
• Carmel Catholic HS, Mundelein
• Chicago Christian HS, Palos Heights    
• College Preparatory School of America, Lombard
• De La Salle Institute, Chicago
• Dunlap HS, Dunlap
• Evanston Township HS, Evanston
• Glenbard East HS, Lombard
• Glenbard South HS, Glen Ellyn
• Highland Park HS, Highland Park
• Hinsdale Central HS, Hinsdale
• Hinsdale South HS, Darien
• Homewood-Flossmoor HS, Flossmoor
• Huntley HS, Huntley
• John Hersey HS, Arlington Heights
• Libertyville HS, Vernon Hills
• Maine South HS, Park Ridge
• Maine Township HS West, Des Plaines
• Mt. Carmel HS, Chicago
• Mt. Vernon Township HS, Mt. Vernon
• Naperville North HS, Naperville
• Niles North HS, Skokie
• Niles West HS, Skokie
• Normal Community HS, Normal
• Normal West HS, Normal
• O’Fallon Township HS, O’Fallon
• Oak Park River Forest HS, Oak Park
• Pittsfield HS, Pittsfield
• Providence Catholic HS, New Lenox
• Rich South HS, Richton Park
• Salem Community HS, Salem
• South Elgin HS, South Elgin
• Southland College Prep HS, Richton Park
• St. Charles East HS, St. Charles
• St. Charles North HS, St. Charles
• Timothy Christian HS, Elmhurst
• Unity Christian Academy, South Holland
• University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, Chicago
• Wheaton Academy, West Chicago
• Wheeling HS, Wheeling
• Whitney M. Young Magnet HS, Chicago
• Willowbrook HS, Villa Park
• York Community HS, Elmhurst