Sophomore Jessica Elkin described a grisly murder to me over the phone. The motive, method of death and setting all sent chills down my spine. But one question remained in my head: who killed Rob on the set of a new reality TV show? The answer was not so simple, but Wake Forest Mock Trial is going to set things right. 

If you didn’t realize already, this is not a real case. However, members of Wake Forest’s Mock Trial club spend the entire semester as if it were. For example, Elkin was assigned to prosecute Rob’s alleged murderer, Charlie. As the prosecution, it was her job to put herself in the shoes of the defense.

“The defense can say Charlie didn’t intend to kill Rob because intent is part of the charge of murder,” Elkin said. “Or that someone made Charlie do it.” 

The Mock Trial team spends each semester focused on a different case. Some work for the prosecution, others are a part of the defense and some train to be key witnesses. After they’ve spent all semester practicing their roles and perfecting their courtroom skills, they compete against other schools.

As Elkin puts it, it doesn’t get much better than being in a courtroom embodying your role.

“Have you seen ‘My Cousin Vinny?’” Elkin asked, referring to the 1992 legal comedy film. “Some teams will be close to that level of theatricality.” 

Freshman witness William Grantham agreed. 

“I also just really love the thrill of thinking on your feet in a courtroom setting,” he said.

Finding your way into the courtroom

Before she found herself trying to convince a jury of other Mock Trial members that a man was guilty of murder, Elkin found her interest in law after participating in her high school mock trial team. So did Grantham.

“We didn’t do very well, but it was a lot of fun,” Grantham said.

However, not all Mock Trial members started in high school. Grantham said many of his teammates began Mock Trial for the first time at Wake Forest.  

“A good majority are just starting in college… so our coaches don’t prioritize former trial experience as much as they do on-the-spot quick thinking,” Grantham explained.

So you don’t need any prior experience. If you fell in love with a movie like “A Few Good Men,” or the countless “Lincoln Lawyer” adaptations, it is never too late to experience Mock Trial for yourself. 

Acting coaches and working attorneys pitch in for the team as well, making the experience all the more real. And as Grantham explained, you don’t even need to be pursuing a career in law or law school to audition for the team.

“One of the people on our executive board is not even considering law,” Grantham said. “He’s going to medical school and just does it as a fun hobby, and for the community of it.”

Mock Trial also develops skills unrelated to the field of law, according to sophomore Sally Wray.

“Being able to articulate your arguments on a dime has really helped me with the speed of my arguments,” Wray said. “I feel I’m able to articulate what I want to say better, more concisely, but also quicker.” 

A strong community

If you are a Wake Forest student looking for a good time and a great community, no matter your career desires, you can seek out a spot in Mock Trial. 

Elkin said her favorite part of the club is the people.

“Everyone on Mock Trial is friends with each other, and we all have a good time together,” she said. 

Wray agreed.

“They’re just so perfect and they just make every competition and practice worth it,” she said of her teammates.

Members say it’s helpful to have a friendly group, since the club spends plenty of time training and competing at university tournaments across the country.

These events, held at institutions including the University of Georgia, University of Pennsylvania, Duke University and UNC-Chapel Hill, put members’ public speaking, reasoning and critical analysis skills to the test. 

While this may sound like a lot of traveling, paired with the weekly meetings and additional friendly competitions, Elkin assured me that the schedule is very manageable.

“It can feel like a lot, but it really isn’t,” Elkin said. 

Closing statement

If you like competing, meeting new people and thinking on the spot, then Mock Trial is the club for you. They are always excited for new students to try out for their close-knit team. 

“I just have so much fun at an actual competition weekend because you’re staying in a hotel with all your teammates, you’re all going to dinner together and we’re all doing the same thing,” Elkin said.

Junior Jason Chen agreed that the group shares camaraderie. 

“Some of my closest friends were made from the mock team, including my roommates,” Chen said. “Being able to laugh and goof off with the rest of them has been the thing that keeps me coming back to mock [trial], despite all the complaints when it’s tournament season.”

While the general population at Wake Forest may be unable to handle the truth, Mock Trial can. All the while, they are forming lasting relationships with their fellow teammates.

Next fall, consider testing out your own prosecution, defense, witness or acting skills for the Wake Forest mock trial team. If you want to stay updated or find out more information about the team, follow them on Instagram @wfumocktrial.