Minneapple Mock Trial Tournament
Judging Tips

Judging Tips (Presiding Judge):
- KEEP THE TRIAL MOVING!
- OBJECTIONS:
- MOCK TRIAL RULES: “While objections to the foundation and relevance of testimony and exhibits should be made and fully argued, the parties jointly move the Court to apply a reasonably inclusive standard for admissibility.”
- Let students argue once or twice, then make a ruling. If you hear the same argument twice, it’s time to rule.
- Do not make incorrect rulings to “see how a team would handle it.”
- When in doubt, let it in.
Judging Tips (Presiding & Scoring Judge):
- SCORE AS YOU GO. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SCORE FROM NOTES AFTER THE TRIAL.
- Fill out the printed backup ballot too (just in case there is an issue with the digital ballot).
- Score based on PERFORMANCE, not the merits of the case.
- Point differential matters! Be internally consistent.
- Tip: Give a range of scores (e.g, give the full range of 5-9). DO NOT GIVE A 1, 2, 3 OR 4.
- After the round:
- Select the best performer from each team on your ballot.
- MAKE SURE YOU SPELL THE NAME CORRECTLY (LOOK AT THE SPELLING ON THE ROSTER)
- Put STUDENT Names (e.g., put Elise Gort, not Ardi Ramidus)
- Submit your ballot.
- You can have a copy of the ballot emailed to you if you would like to refer to your comments.