First Day of Mock Trial State Finals Completed

Three of four 2023 Indiana Bar Foundation High School Mock Trial State Finals preliminary rounds have been completed. “What we have witnessed today is exemplary work by our students, their teachers, coaches, and school communities,” said Foundation President & CEO Charles Dunlap. “The Foundation’s commitment to civic education and our investment in programs like Mock Trial underscore the importance of civics in our society,” added Dunlap.
Nearly 300 students representing 24 teams from 15 schools are competing in the two-day event held in Indianapolis.
“Judges have been impressed with the depth of research, poise, teamwork, and student presentation,” said Foundation Director of Civic Education Tim Kalgreen. “The bar of expectation and performance increases yearly,” added Kalgreen.
All teams return Sunday morning for the fourth and final preliminary round. Two teams will advance to the Championship Trial at 2 Sunday afternoon. State Finals Best Attorney, Best Witness, and the Dennis Woods Dedication Award will be announced Sunday at 1 p.m.
Playing the roles of attorneys and witnesses, students learn about the court system and justice. Volunteer judges evaluate each trial, scoring the prosecution and defense, and often identify the best attorney and best witness in each round.
The Foundation is proud to administer Mock Trial and thanks all those, including the 60 judges and Bar Foundation staff supporting this weekend’s finals, who make Indiana’s Mock Trial program among the nation’s best.