Kelly Ho | Staff Writer
Learn and compete with FIU’s Panthers Mock Trial, a club established in late 2017, whose mission is to introduce students to participate in simulated jury trials and other law-related activities.
Also known as a mock trial, it replicates real-life court proceedings by having individuals assume the roles of witnesses, lawyers, and other court personnel to generate a courtroom environment.
“Students are prepared in cases in their entirety, from speeches given by individual attorneys to creating these charismatic characters that are witnesses presented during trials.” Said Aylie Farmer, double majoring in political science and philosophy, and the incoming president for the Panthers Mock Trial Team next year.
The Panthers Mock Trial Club is associated with the American Mock Trial Association, and it competes in some of the association’s invitational, regional, and national competitions.
“Since we compete in these competitions, students can compete and develop their public speaking skills, teamwork skills, and law-focused skills like legal writing and evidentiary rules,” said Farmer.
German Mata, a political science major and the Recruitment chair for the Panthers Mock Trial Team, continued. “Our purpose is to give undergraduate students an opportunity to build or improve their politicization skills, to prepare them for law schools or even in general. Even if they aren’t going into law, whether they want to polish their acting skills, public speaking, or to build confidence within themselves, we welcome them all.”
While the organization is housed within the Honors College, the club is open to both students and non-Honors College students.
“At Tennessee, we faced competitive schools like Duke University, Georgia Tech, and a lot of schools that were good at mock trials, and we got top 5 there. Before regionals, we competed at Alabama and placed 3rd. And at regionals, we did really well, Aylie got an award, and two of our other attorneys got awards as well,” said Alexis Lofton, double majoring in social work and public administration, Attorney for Panthers Mock Trial Team.
“It’s all about practice and improving as the year goes on. We first familiarize others about mock trials and usually go over the rule of evidence, how to impeach a witness, and other things at the start of the year for new members.”
The competitions take place normally during the weekends, and they can range from a 10-team competition to a 36-team competition. The Panthers Mock Trial Team has two teams (A team and B team). Competitions are both in-state and out-of-state. Teams can range from all over the United States including California, Georgia, and North Carolina.
“We are currently nationally ranked as a top 3 team in the state and #1 team in South Florida. We also have 3, all regional attorneys in our team as of recently, including our president Aylie Farmer,” said Moises Sanchez, criminal justice major and pre-law track, Events Chair for Panthers Mock Trial Team.
“I always knew I wanted to do mock trials since I did them in high school, and I’m glad of the people that I met here. It’s a great community, and I’m honestly excited for the future that it holds,” said Lofton.
The Panthers Mock Trial Team meetings can vary from day and location, to learn more about them visit their Instagram or their website by clicking this link.
Crimson Classic Invitational 3rd place with a score of 6-2 (A-team) | Kelly Ho, PantherNow
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