About

Frequently Asked Questions

Mock Trial is a fall/winter activity in which students simulate a real trial. Teams are provided materials from the Minnesota State Bar Association and develop a case from top to bottom.  

Teams consist of attorneys, witnesses, a timekeeper and a bailiff. Teams compete against people from a different school. Teams must prepare both sides of the case (prosecution/plaintiff and defense) for every competition. 

Trials are performed at Real Courthouses (due to COVID trials in 2022 may take place virtually) in front of Real Judges and Attorneys.  Last season, our team argued in front of some of the top judges in the state of Minnesota, including Minnesota Supreme Court Justice David Lillehaug. 

No, Mock Trial is a great activity for people of a wide variety of interests such as acting, public speaking, debate, and law.

Being a witness in a mock trial is acting. As a witness, you learn a script and portray a character. Mock trial is especially effective at developing Improv and Method Acting skills.

The AVHS Mock Trial team is one of the top teams in the Nation. We placed in the Top Ten at 5 National Tournaments since October 2019, and have advanced to the State Championship Round 3 of the past 4 seasons.

Members of the AVHS Mock Trial team have won over 200 individual awards in the past 6 years, including 14 All-State and 12 National Awards (more than any other team in the state).

You can do Mock Trial in addition to most other activities. Mock trial participants have successfully participated in all of the following activities:

  • Jazz Band
  • Broadway
  • Band
  • School Plays
  • Debate
  • Speech
  • Soccer
  • Volleyball
  • Chess
  • Robotics
  • Quiz Bowl
  • Math Team
  • Science Olympiad
  • Student Council
  • National Honor Society
  • Baseball
  • Football
  • Softball
  • Lacrosse
  • Dance
  • Choir
  • Ultimate Frisbee
  • One Act
  • Others!

The only activities where scheduling conflicts are difficult to overcome are winter sports

There are 2 options to join the Mock Trial team: 

  1. Try-out on September 28 or September 29: 
    1. See tryout information below
    2. Sign Up for a slot at: https://bit.ly/AVMT22Please use your Collab email to sign up.  
  2.  Join without a try-out (i.e., “just show up”). 
    1. Turn in your registration form to the Mock Trial mailbox in the office or bring it to our first team meeting on Tuesday, October 18, 2022 from 2:45 PM to 3:45 PM in Room A108.
    2. Can’t make it?  No problem!  Just send an email to eric.strauss@district196.org

The benefit of trying out is you can showcase your skills to make a higher team (e.g., Varsity or JV).  There are no cuts and everyone makes a team.  You can even join with a group of friends and compete together!

Our first team meeting will be on Tuesday, October 18, 2022 from 2:45 PM to 3:45 PM in room A108.

Can’t make it? No problem! Just send an email to eric.strauss@district196.org.

Practices begin Monday, October 24, 2022.
Non-Varsity Team members are expected to attend 2-3 practices per week from the following options:
We will have in person practices on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays from 2:45 PM to 5:00 PM in Room A108 starting October 24, 2022.
We will have virtual practices on Thursdays from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm over Zoom. The first Zoom practice will be on Thursday, October 27, 2022.

The mock trial season for all members runs from Mid-October through the End of January. Members of the Varsity team may also qualify for State Tournament in March and Nationals in May.

You do not need any experience to join the team. Depending on our numbers, we will have a Varsity Team, a JV Team, and Novice/Developmental Team(s). 

Yes, historically over 90% of the team members letter in Mock Trial. 

Yes. As one of the top programs in the country, we are often invited to attend national tournaments. We are traveling to Baltimore in September 2022.

Yes! Just stop by any practice. 

Contact Coach Eric Strauss (eric.strauss@district196.org).

Tradition of Excellence

The AVHS Mock Trial team is one of the top teams in the Nation. We placed in the Top Ten at 5 National Tournaments since October 2019, and have advanced to the State Championship Round 3 of the past 4 seasons.

Members of the AVHS Mock Trial team have won over 200 individual awards in the past 6 years, including 14 All-State and 12 National Awards (more than any other team in the state).

National Competitions

The Apple Valley Mock Trial team has competed in 12 National Tournaments since 2019.  

The Apple Valley Mock Trial Team has competed in:
  • New York City, NY
  • Chicago, IL
  • Atlanta, GA
  • Athens, GA
  • Baltimore, MD

Recent National Competitions:

2022 Empire Baltimore

2022 Empire Eclipse

2022 Gladiator Olympics

2022 Tournament of Champions

Coaches

Eric Strauss

Head Coach

Becca Strauss

Assistant Coach

David Racine

Attorney Coach

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