Through the Iowa Mock Trial Program, participants get a hands-on opportunity to examine legal processes and current legal issues. In addition to providing familiarity with the law, mock trials also help students develop important critical-thinking skills and aid in the development of fundamental research, preparation and presentation skills.

To help prepare students for this activity, teachers call upon lawyers, judges, law students and other legal professionals to work with participants on the various aspects of preparing a case and conducting a trial. Many lawyers and judges serve as attorney-coaches and work alongside teachers on a regular basis to provide guidance and expertise.

Since 1983, the Iowa Mock Trial Program has given thousands of students the opportunity to get a close-up look at the judicial process. The Iowa program remains among the largest in the nation, and one of very few to offer the mock trial experience to middle school. In recent years, close to 3,500 students in grades 6-12 participated in mock trial competitions. Many hundreds more benefited from mock trials as an in-class activity. The Iowa Mock Trial Program offers a separate competition for students in grades 6-8 and 9-12.

Iowa Middle School Mock Trial
The Iowa Middle School Mock Trial Program is the largest in the nation. Each fall, students in grades 6-8 are presented with a challenging legal problem and set out to prepare and present both sides of the case to a panel of volunteer lawyers and judges.

Middle School Mock Trial

Iowa High School Mock Trial
The Iowa High School Mock Trial program, which began in 1983, is an academic competition, open to students in grades 9-12. It presents a complex set of legal materials for students to grapple with as they prepare to present their arguments to panels of judges at regional and statewide tournaments.

High School Mock Trial

National High School Program
Iowa was one of the founding members of the National High School Mock Trial Championship. Since 1985, high school mock trial state champions are eligible to compete in a national tournament. Each year, the championship is held in a different host city.

The 2026 National High School Mock Trial Championship will be held in Des Moines the weekend of May 7-9, 2026. This will be just the second time nationals will be held in Iowa since the very first national championships were held in Des Moines in 1984. To make this event a success, and one worthy of a national championship, volunteers and judges will be needed.

National High School Program

Iowa Mock Trial Educator Coach Hall of Fame
Recognizing the vital role that mock trial coaches play in teaching Iowa’s youth about the American jury system, the Iowa Chapter of ABOTA is proud to honor middle and high school teachers who have made significant contributions to Iowa’s nationally-recognized mock trial program.

Please nominate an outstanding Iowa mock trial team’s educator coach by filling out this form.

Educator Coach Hall of Fame

Sponsors

Special thanks to The Iowa State Bar Foundation, Lawyers Trust Account Commission IOLTA Program, and Prairie Meadows for grant awards for the 2025–2026 Iowa Mock Trial Program.