Stevenson University’s mock trial team aims to reach the national championship tournament, building on last year’s historic achievement when both teams advanced to the Opening Round Championship Series. 

Stevenson University mock trial (SUMT) has seen great success over these past few years, achieving high placements in many tournaments and winning the Spirit of the American Mock Trial Association (AMTA) award at the 2023 Opening Round Championship Series. Last year was the first time in SUMT history that both teams advanced to the prestigious tournament.  

SUMT teams have done more than just succeed in competition. They’ve also grown together outside of the courtroom. 

“Mock trial emphasizes the importance of teamwork, character, and community,” SUMT coach Melanie Snyder said. “We always say that when you join mock trial, you join a second family, both here at Stevenson and within the greater AMTA world.”  

This year, SUMT hopes to replicate last year’s success. Both of SUMT’s competitive teams will attend nine different invitational tournaments. SUMT takes on a criminal case for this year’s competition involving a dramatic heist, a case of conspiracy, aggravated robbery and kidnapping. 

SUMT member Josh Brown, a sophomore, is looking forward to his first criminal case. Brown came in knowing nothing about legal studies and had no experience with mock trial, but joined SUMT last year and won four Outstanding Witness Awards and a “freshman mocker to watch” award nationally. Brown enjoys acting and creating characters for the trials. He hopes to see more people join the SUMT family in the years ahead. 

If interested, contact [email protected] with any questions. Additionally, check out the SUMT Instagram @stevenson_mocktrial