A Year of Success... A Taste of the Future

Who can judge at the BRIC?

All law students, professors, and attorneys are welcome to judge. No previous mock trial or litigation experience is necessary. For some attorneys, this is a New York Bar CLE credit event. To sign up, click here.

What will judging be like?

In each round of competition, two schools will represent opposing sides in an unscripted civil trial where students become the attorneys and witnesses. The competitors present opening and closing statements and perform direct and cross examinations, while arguing objections based on the Federal Rules of Evidence. Past judges have remarked how interesting, impressive, and thoroughly entertaining it was to watch the competitions. In this year's fictitious case, Dawn Francis was stabbed with an HIV-infected syringe by Bobbi Campbell, when Francis (a Child Protective Services agent) was removing Campbell's son from the home. Campbell has pled guilty to Second Degree Assault. This trial focuses on the sentencing phase where the prosecution and defense present aggravating and mitigating factors, respectively, to aid the jury in determing the appropriate sentence. The trial could involve a psychologist, mediation specialists, HIV speciatlists, the court liason, and the victim. The trial often deals with issues of diminished mental capacity of the defendant, the childhood of the defendant, drug addition, the lifelong effects of HIV on the victim, and the difficulty of balancing the pain of the victim and the past of the defendant. In the end, YOU get to recommend a sentence.

Who are the competitors?

The competitors are undergraduate students who represent universities from across the country. The competitors at BRIC IV are from some of the top mock trial programs in the nation. This inivitational tournament is the last chance for intercollegiate practice before the beginning of the regular elimination tournament season when schools compete to advance to the National Championships.

What does a judge do?

As a judge, you will listen to arguments, watch witness performances, rule on objections, weigh the evidence, and score the competitors. Since there are two judges in each trial, knowledge of evidence is not necessary because only one judge in each trial rules on objections. Both judges score, and the scores will determine the winner of each trial. Those results will help determine who wins the tournament. After each round, you will have the opportunity to give comments to the students and discuss how the round went, something which the students find invaluable for improving their skills.

Do I need any experience or background in litigation or evidence?

NO. You do NOT need any prior experience with mock trial or litigation to judge this competition. Before each round, there will be a judges' orientation which will explain the judging process in detail to you. We welcome all professors, judges, and practicing attorneys to participate. In addition, we welcome all law students, although only those who have completed an evidence course may sit as a presiding judge.

Can I receive CLE credit for judging?

Last year, judges were provided with CLE credit. We plan on doing the same this year. Please review the regulations for CLE to determine your eligibility to receive credit. http://www.nycourts.gov/attorneys/cle/index.shtml [Not all attorneys are eligible for credit, and mock trial judging can only be used for three credit hours once in every two-year period. It is your responsibility to determine your eligibility]

Will I be given any materials prior to the competition?

Once you have registered, a copy of the case will be made available to you. You are not required to read the case before attending the tournament. However, if you are receiving CLE credit, the case is your reading material. It is not necessary to bring the case with your to the tournament.

Will there be food?

Of course. Prior to each round, there will be a catered meal available for the judges, either a breakfast (including coffee) or lunch.

How many rounds can I judge?

As many as you want! Feel free to volunteer for more than one round or for more than one day. Volunteers for Round 3 (Sunday Morning) are particularly appreciated.

Where do I check-in when I am scheduled to judge?

Judges should check-in at the Saperston Student Lounge in Cornell Law School (Myron Taylor Hall). For directions to Cornell Law School (Myron Taylor Hall), click here. Parking will be available for free at the parking garage located hereon the Cornell University campus; click here for a map of the entire Cornell Campus.

Saturday, January 26, 2008

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Judge Registration Form