The Mock Trial

Certificate Program

Among the more unique elements of the Wecht Institute’s Certificate program is the Mock Trial that represents the culmination of both the criminal case that students are first exposed to at the mock crime scene they investigate as well as the program for undergraduate certificate students.

Under the expert guidance of local prosecutors, defense attorneys and a criminal court judge, class members assume the roles of attorneys and expert and fact witnesses. After working in teams to prepare their cases, the students appear in one of the Law School’s state-of-the-art courtroom facilities to make their arguments, examine their witnesses and present their evidence. At the conclusion of the trial, other classmates, serving as jurors, are asked to render a verdict.

As the nation’s only forensic science program housed at a law school, the Wecht Institute is proud to be able to expose its students not only to the world of forensic science, but also to its application in the courtroom.