By: Maddie Day

Xavier’s Mock Trial Club will face Miami University (Ohio) in a scrimmage this weekend and plans to utilize the experience of its six returning team members.

The club also has six newcomers this year.

Xavier’s Mock Trial Club participates in invitational, regional, super-regional and national intercollegiate competitions.

In both practice and competition, club members participate in trial simulations where they are assigned roles as either attorneys or witnesses.

Prior to trial simulations, teams are given legal cases and asked to prepare for their individual roles in each trial.

These trial simulations help the Mock Trial Club accomplish its overall purpose – to improve public speaking, critical thinking and legal skills among its members in a competitive environment.

The American Mock Trial Association governs the Mock Trial Club’s intercollegiate competitions and provides the complex case materials used in both club practices and competitions.

These mock trial competitions allow teams of students from institutions nationwide to develop communication and critical thinking skills while preparing for careers in the legal field.

However, Xavier’s Mock Trial Club is not just for those students who are interested in pursuing careers in law or the legal environment. Students pursuing careers in other fields like psychology, mathematics, criminal justice and English participate in the Mock Trial Club, and students of all majors are welcome to join.

“Anyone can come and see what we are all about,” President Jessica Semon said. “We all get along great and always welcome anyone new.”

Xavier’s Mock Trial Club is coached by Emily Woerner and Andy Hogan.

The club also works with a team of attorneys from the Cincinnati area.

The Xavier Mock Trial Club meets at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays in Smith Hall.

Xavier students interested in joining the Xavier Mock Trial Club should contact Semon, or email the club at mocktrial@xavier.edu.