Moot Court
Moot Court
The moot court team at Macalester began in the fall of 2020. Despite its recent inception, the American Moot Court Association (AMCA) has already achieved a top 10 ranking in the nation. In moot court, students prepare mock appellate oral arguments and legal briefs on a year-long case problem, simulating the Supreme Court. Moot Court emphasizes arguments based on legal precedent and constitutional reasoning, with judges asking questions during your arguments. Each season, the hypothetical case is released on May 1st, allowing preparation over the summer, with qualifying tournaments in October and November, followed by national tournaments in January and February.
MISSION STATEMENT: Macalester Moot Court is dedicated to providing a safe space to discuss and digest difficult, current events. While Moot Court requires participants to argue both sides whether or not a student agrees with it, this exercise is meant to strengthen and prepare students’ argumentative skills for when their own beliefs are challenged. By working together and communicating, we hope that the participants in Moot Court will leave with a thorough understanding of constitutional law, the court system, and the effects of judicial rulings, as well as feelings of self-accomplishment, self-growth, and enthusiasm for the future.
