The goal of the Judicial Program is to expose Missouri youth to the judicial process, from participation in trials as attorneys to developing leadership skills through mentoring and serving as judges in those trials. The focus of the students’ work during the fall is on learning and practicing the various parts of a trial, and developing the case you work on throughout the semester.
A judicial team is made up of two to four students.
Students may also apply to serve as a judge. Selections are made by the Program Coordinators. Judges preside over the trials at the State Convention. A student selected as a judge must also prepare a trial brief and try a case as an attorney. In order to be eligible to apply to be a Judge, you must have one year of experience in the program. If you are a Judge, you may also participate as part of a trial team in the moot trial competition if you so choose.
The Judicial Program is led by Chief Justice of the Missouri Supreme Court, who is selected at the previous State Convention by the student judges. The Presiding Judge serves as a mentor to all judges and judicial participants.
Judicial Preparation
The Judicial program requires preparation before the State Convention on the part of each student in order to be successful. When you come to the State Convention, you need to be well prepared to try the case that you have been working on during the semester. This Judicial Program handbook provides you with an explanation of how the program works, an overview of the parts of a trial, and tips for preparing your case. Above all, our goal for you is to learn about the judicial process while having fun.
Judicial Documents
2017 Judicial Case (PDF)
This is the case and exhibits used for the mock trials at the State Convention.
Judical Handbook (PDF)
This handbook will help in your preparation for the State Convention.
Appellate Handbook (PDF)
This guide will assist you with the Appellate Case (Case 2) at the State Convention.
2017 Appellate Case (Case 2) (PDF)
This is the Appellate Case (Case 2) at the State Convention.
Judicial Eligibility
Any student in 9-12 grade is eligible to participate in the Judicial Program.
- Participants must complete the Student Registration Form on the YAG website by the stated deadline to participate at the State Convention.
- Students must work with a trial team in their delegation to prepare the proper trial brief.
- Trial briefs must be filed by the stated deadline in the appropriate format.