Objections and Evidence
This objection is raised when a question asks the witness to testify about something someone else said outside of court to prove the truth of the matter.
Hearsay
This trial participant is responsible for keeping official time and signaling remaining minutes to the competitors.
Clerk (timekeeper)
California Mock Trial rounds are conducted as this type of trial, meaning there is no jury present and students address all arguments directly to the judge.
Bench Trial
Questions that suggest the desired answer and are generally only allowed during cross-examination.
Leading Questions
The core definition of hearsay is an out-of-court statement offered in court to prove this.
Truth of the matter asserted
You object with this term when a question asked on cross-examination goes beyond the topics covered during direct examination.
Beyond the Scope of Evidence
This side carries the burden of proof in a criminal trial and must prove the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Prosecution
What is the name of our case this year?
People Vs. Martz
The process of challenging a witness's credibility by showing contradictions between their courtroom testimony and their written statement.
Impeachment
This common exception allows an out-of-court statement to be admitted if made by the opposing party in the lawsuit.
Admission by party opponent
This objection applies if an attorney asks a question that assumes facts not yet entered into evidence or forces a witness to guess.
Speculation
During this part of the trial, attorneys present a summarized overview of what they expect the evidence will show, without making arguments.
Opening Statement
This student official is responsible for swearing in witnesses and bringing a copy of the rulebook to the competition.
Bailiff
The phase of questioning that allows an attorney to rehabilitate their own witness after cross-examination.
Re-direct Examination
An out-of-court statement made by a person under the stress or excitement caused by a startling event falls under this exception.
Excited Utterance
An attorney raises an objection when the opposing counsel asks a leading question during this phase of examination.
The physical space in between the defense and prosecution tables and the bench.
The well
Outside of the courtroom, students participating in the competition may also compete in these two individual, non-attorney/witness contests during the trial. ( Name either)
Courtroom Artist and Courtroom Journalist
The final address to the judge where attorneys synthesize the admitted evidence and argue why their side should win.
Closing Argument
This exception allows a witness to testify about an out-of-court statement describing the declarant's internal feelings, intent, or health at the time it was said.
State of mind
Under California Mock Trial rules, this specific objection is used when a witness invents a material fact that is not in the case packet and impacts the outcome.
Unfair Extrapolation
In our Mock Trial, where do the scoring attorneys sit while the case is ongoing?
Jury Box
The organization that creates, publishes, and oversees the official California Mock Trial case materials and rulebook every year.
Constitutional Rights Foundation
The legal maneuver where an attorney asks the judge to officially enter a physical document or item into the trial record as evidence.
Moving an exhibit into evidence
If a statement is introduced not to prove that the words were true, but merely to show that the listener heard them and reacted, it is admissible for this non-hearsay purpose.
Effect on the listener