ARIZONA MOCK TRIAL SUMMER INTENSIVE

What is AMTSI?

The university of Arizona Mock Trial Summer intensive (AMTSI) is a six day summer camp offered to high school students in the Tucson area which focuses on cultivating the next generation of legal advocates. Students will learn hands-on from our instructors, who are active and experienced competitors with the University of Arizona Undergraduate mock trial program (See the instructors page for more information). AMTSI will prepare students to succeed in high school mock trial and beyond in a collegiate setting. Students who attend AMTSI will be able to engage with lectures and drills given by our instructors covering all facets of mock trial — from how to handle cross-examination as a witness, to giving a killer closing statement as an attorney, AMTSI will prepare students to succeed in all areas. Students will also get the opportunity to collaborate in teams to compete in our camp tournament on the final day of AMTSI (07/12). AMTSI is open to high school students of all skill levels, find more information below about how to commit!

Instructor Cordelia Ellsworth Delivers Her Opening Statement at the University of Arizona Cactus Classic Invitational

Ten Skills You Can Learn at AMTSI

  1. How to approach developing a strong theme and theory for a mock trial case

  2. Courtroom etiquette and legal professionalism

  3. Understanding the AMTA rules of evidence

  4. How to argue objections and win even if you get overruled

  5. How to develop a strong direct examination of character, expert, and emotional witness

  6. Witness character development

  7. How to win cross examination as a witness

  8. How to win cross examination as an attorney

  9. How to give a strong opening and closing statement

  10. Responsiveness and impromptu argumentation in cross examination and closing arguments

To secure your spot at AMTSI go to the tab labeled registration and tuition to sign up today!

James E. Rogers College of Law — Tucson, AZ —July 7th-12th 2024

AMTSI Is all about helping students find their voice — At AMTSI you can…

  • Work closely with The 2025 Tempe regional champions to develop new skills, find your confidence, and build your passion for legal advocacy

  • Connect with other high school students who love mock trial and are passionate about the law

  • Develop the skills you need to succeed in high school and collegiate mock trial competitions

  • Become familiar with the ins and outs of collegiate mock trial by working in teams to develop a prosecution and defense theory of a old National Championship Tournament case

  • Join a supportive and passionate community in which you can develop professional connections, strong friendships, and experience personal growth

Instructor Jason Ojoye Testifies as an Expert Witness at the University of Arizona Cactus Classic Invitational

We want to make AMTSI the best possible experience, you can expect…

  • LOW STUDENT TO INSTRUCTOR RATIO: We want to ensure that all students always have access to a helping hand when they need one, by keeping our student to instructor ratio low we ensure that our campers get high-quality hands-on support that will help them develop to the fullest extent possible.

  • INSTRUCTORS WHO ARE WELL VERSED IN ALL PARTS OF MOCK TRIAL: You name it, we’ve got it! AMTSI instructors have been around the block when it comes to collegiate mock trial, we have a balanced mix of attorney and witness instructors, instructors who specialize in expert witnesses, excellent speech givers, instructors who know the rules of evidence like the back of their hand, and more. You can expect to get well-rounded instruction at AMTSI, we want to help YOU learn the things that you want to learn!

  • BALANCED CURRICULUM AND COLLABORATIVE EXPERIENCE: Campers at AMTSI can expect to grow their skills in two ways. The first is in lab-style instruction, where students will attend lectures and complete activities that are curated to their experience level. Second, students will get the opportunity to compete in teams, collaborating with other students of all experience levels and ages to create a strong case to present at our saturday tournament. AMTSI values COLLABORATION over COMPETITION — we want our students to make real connections with one another, enjoy working together to create a case, and have a blast at our camp tournament.