Each year students evaluate and debate high profile cases from across the nation. Double murders, wrongful death, top civil cases and so much more! This section allows you to team up with a group of friends who like to be dramatic and argue your case, both prosecution and defense! Students can also participate as Judges preside over the courtroom and make the ultimate decision on who has wins the case!

Teams combine drama addicts and straight debaters to make your team the one to beat! Two to three attorneys lead the team through the trial, while the witness and bailiffs help carry the case…guilty or not guilty!

25-26 Trial Court Updates Memo

25-26 Trial Court Student Manual

One Pager Trial Court Info Sheet

The 2025-2026 Trial Court Case is the Case of Local Politics, Old Enemies, Deadly Explosion. Read the case below!

Delegates are permitted to submit any questions regarding the case, trial rules and procedures and simplified rules of evidence. Such questions should be submitted by September 30, 2025 using the support form

An official response by the Judicial Section leaders will be posted to on that same page no later than October 21, 2025. The written response will serve as a “clarification” to submitted questions and will become part of the case materials.

The YMCA Texas Youth and Government Mock Trial Competition is governed by the rules set forth below. These rules are designed to ensure excellence in presentation and fairness in scoring all trials and tournaments. These rules are supplemented by any specific stipulations and comments provided in the current case. These rules are also supplemented by the Rules of Evidence, Rules of Procedure any other documents issued by the Texas Judicial Section Leader.

Below you will find helpful videos of some important trial court courtroom procedures.

Before registering to attend either any of our District or State Conference trial court teams will need the following:

1. Identify Club Team Numbers. If your school has 3 trial teams, confirm with your club and advisor which team is 1, 2, and 3.
2. Identify Team Roles: Attorney, Attorney/Bailiff, Witness, Witness/Bailiff.
   1. Lead Attorney are 2 named Attorneys for team naming proposes.
   2. Teams need to identify a bailiff for conference day. No one should just be the bailiff
3. Complete the Team Roster for Registration Upload to upload during your conference registration. (Linked in button below)
   1. Fill in the first and last name of all your team members and their roles. This is to help ensure that all member are on the right team.
4. Complete District and State Registration with the information gather from the steps above.

If you need any assistance please ask your club advisor.