New Jersey State Bar Foundation’s mock trial programs for K-12
By Taya Ros
Through its mock trial programs for grades K-12, the New Jersey State Bar Foundation (NJSBF) offers free tools and resources for teachers to promote the understanding of law and our justice system for students of all ages.
“Our mock trial programs provide students of all ages with a perspective on courtroom procedures and the legal process used to resolve disputes, fostering a basic understanding of the judicial process,” says NJSBF President Charlie Stoia. “Through interactive learning, students collaborate to gain a deeper understanding of their roles and responsibilities as citizens.”
Holding mini-court (Grades K-5)
For the youngest students, the foundation offers a free teacher’s guide, which includes lesson plans for grades K-5. Prepared by New Jersey elementary school teachers and lawyers, the lesson plans are designed to be easy and fun to use in class. The resources in the guide include lesson plans, mock trial cases, classroom activities such as word searches, quizzes and more.
Igniting curiosity during Law Fair (Grades 3-6)
Law Fair, for grades 3-6, is a free competition that helps educate students about their rights and responsibilities under the law and helps fulfill New Jersey civics education requirements. Students, and their teachers, write and submit original mock trial cases for the competition. The entire process provides an interactive educational experience that enhances writing, speaking and analytical skills for elementary school students as they learn about the justice system.
Cali Roberts, curriculum coordinator K-8, Kittatinny Regional Consortium and the gifted and talented services instructor at Stillwater Township School during the 2023-24 school year, encouraged her fourth and fifth grade students to enter the competition. 2024 was the first year that Stillwater School competed. The school’s fourth grade team received honorable mention, and the fifth grade team was awarded second place.
“My students were so engaged in the entire process,” says Roberts. “They embraced the challenges presented, expanded their knowledge of the justice system and appreciated the experience of performing at You Be the Jury. This opportunity has created memories my students will never forget. We ignited a genuine curiosity and interest in the justice system and careers in law. I know this competition has made a difference in the lives of my students.”
Promoting civic engagement in a Law Adventure (Grades 7-8)
The Law Adventure Competition, for grades 7 and 8, also helps fulfill New Jersey civics education requirements. This free competition gives students a deeper understanding of their roles and responsibilities as citizens and encourages them to engage in civic discourse. Students and teachers create, write and submit an original mock trial case using rules provided by the foundation. While working together, students learn to analyze problems, think strategically and develop persuasive arguments as they learn about the justice system.
“Law Adventure is a motivating program,” says Diane Cormican, an enrichment teacher at Clinton Township Middle School. “Students will amaze and dazzle with their insights, creativity and knowledge of the justice system. The experiences that students gain learning about the law is something that they carry with them.”
Experiencing jury duty – Law Fair and Law Adventure
Each year, the winners of the Law Fair and Law Adventure Competitions present their original cases before juries of their peers at the New Jersey Law Center in annual You Be the Jury events. These free events give students an opportunity to experience what it is like to be a juror in a mock trial and give the winning teams an opportunity to shine. More than 1,000 elementary and middle school students attend every year.
Many schools hold their own You Be the Jury events for all grades to attend. Last year, after presenting their winning cases at a Law Fair – You Be the Jury event, Stillwater Township School held a school assembly for more than 160 students, 50 parents and other family members.
“Knowing all the hard work and effort our students put into their cases, it was incredible to watch them present,” comments Dr. William Kochis, Stillwater Township School District superintendent. “As educators, we always strive to connect theory with real-world applications, and this opportunity allowed them to experience that connection firsthand. This program brings the law to life in a way that leaves a lasting impression.”
Inspiring high school students – Mock Trial
Every year, more than 200 high school teams from across New Jersey compete in the Vincent J. Apruzzese High School Mock Trial Competition. The free competition, which has been held every year since 1982, uses an original case prepared by the NJSBF’s Mock Trial Committee.
Student teams take on the roles of attorneys, witnesses and jurors and present the case in county courtrooms for the first round of competitions. Regional competitions and the finals are held at the New Jersey Law Center. The winning team represents New Jersey at the National Mock Trial Championship held each spring.
Pier Kooistra, an English teacher at The Lawrenceville School, has been a mock trial teacher-coach for more than 30 years.
“The NJSBF mock trial competition is a massive contribution to civic life and legal education in our state,” says Kooistra. “Students are given an opportunity to examine civic issues, test their understanding of the law and hone their critical thinking skills in a simulated courtroom trial. This gives them a practical way to learn about civics beyond the classroom setting.
“Every year, for wonderfully intensive months, I work with a dozen high school students who are driven to great passion and depths of discipline as they gear up for and participate in the competition,” Kooistra continues. “The students learn so much by first pouring over the case, competing with and against their peers and then by absorbing the feedback from legal professionals who judge the competitions. I can point to many amazing students who moved into legal careers because of the impact of mock trial competitions.”
Engaging artists and journalists, too
Through the Courtroom Artist Contest, the foundation also offers opportunities for artistically talented high school students to participate in the Mock Trial Competition. Creative students stretch their artistic muscles while sketching their school’s mock trial team in action. This contest is held in conjunction with the High School Mock Trial Competition. Participants sketch during the first round of their school’s—or an assigned school if their school does not have a mock trial team—competition.
Illustrations are submitted for judging in a statewide competition. The first-place winner will be invited to travel with the State Mock Trial Champions to represent New Jersey in the Courtroom Artist Contest at the National Mock Trial Championship in May.
In the Courtroom News Reporter Contest, aspiring high school journalists have an opportunity to experience a courtroom setting as a reporter covering a mock trial in their county. This contest is held in conjunction with the High School Mock Trial Competition. Participants attend and report on their school’s—or assigned school if their school does not have a mock trial team—county competition.
Articles are submitted for judging in a state-wide competition. One winner will accompany the State Championship Mock Trial team to the National High School Mock Trial Championship in May and will vie for the title of National Mock Trial Student News Reporter.
Taya Ros is the marketing director for the New Jersey State Bar Foundation. You can learn more about the NJSBF and its resources at njsbf.org.
Getting started
Visit mocktrial.njsbf.org
The mock trial season opens in late August and details for the 2025-26 season will be posted by Sept. 5. Visit mocktrial.njsbf.org to find information, rules, guidelines and more about each competition. Review winning cases, register for the competitions, reserve a place to attend a workshop and check out available resources. Curriculum guides for grades 3-8 are also available.
Teacher workshops and webinars
Every fall, a free workshop or webinar is held for Law Fair, Law Adventure, Mock Trial, Courtroom Artist and Courtroom News Reporter competitions to review competition guidelines, offer tips and suggestions and answer questions. New and returning teachers are welcome and encouraged to attend a workshop of interest. Professional development credits are offered for each.
Find an attorney coach
Did you know that high school mock trial teacher-coaches may request a volunteer attorney-coach to help coach high school mock trial teams during the competition season? Requests are made when registering to compete.
Wait, there’s more!
Part of the New Jersey State Bar Foundation’s mission is to be an education resource for the people of New Jersey to help them better understand the laws that affect them every day. To help achieve this mission NJSBF offers the resources below.
Free law-related publications for classroom use
Publications include What to Know about Plagiarism, and civics related topics such as Constitutionally Speaking – The U.S. Supreme Court, The Bill of Rights Up Close and Beyond the Bill of Rights. Our legal newspaper, The Legal Eagle, (for grades 5 to adult) and Respect, our diversity and inclusion newsletter (for grades 6 to adult) are both published three times each school year and shipped (free) to schools in New Jersey. Download or order free copies at publications.njsbf.org.
Conversation starters
Read or download articles for special months (such as Black History Month) weeks (such as Constitution Week) or days (such as Earth Day), as well as select topics like government, social media and artificial intelligence. All articles, which include discussion questions, have been curated from The Legal Eagle, Respect or from our Informed Citizens civic blog. Visit conversationstarters.njsbf.org.
Free speakers bureau
Volunteer attorneys are available to address classes, school groups and schools on many areas of the law including the court system and how it works, the Bill of Rights, turning 18 in New Jersey and more. Request a free speaker at speakers.njsbf.org.
Free educator trainings
The foundation’s violence prevention and anti-bias educator trainings support New Jersey schools in creating a positive school climate. Trainings are held virtually or in person at the New Jersey Law Center in New Brunswick. In-school and districtwide options are available. Professional development credits may be earned. More at trainings.njsbf.org.