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Undergraduate Mock Trial

Here’s What the 2020-21 Mock Trial Season Will Look Like for The LitiGators

The 2020-21 competitive season will be different from previous years. Nonetheless, we will still have a season! Both The LitiGators and the American Mock Trial Association (AMTA) are putting precautions in place to help keep mockers healthy and safe amid COVID-19. While there are still unknowns, here’s what we know so far.

 

  1. Tournaments will be held online. A typical fall semester consists of traveling to three weekend tournaments, also known as invitationals, in the southeast region. All fall semester invitationals will be held online. UF’s annual Swamp Invitational will be held virtually in January. AMTA has already announced that Regionals and Opening Round Championships (ORCS) will be held virtually. These tournaments take place in February and March. Thus, it is likely that spring semester invitationals will also be virtual.
  1. You can join The LitiGators even if you will not be in Gainesville. With tournaments being held online, you can compete from your home! A handful of our current members will not be returning to Gainesville. No matter how near or far you’ll be living from Gainesville, you can join The Litigators.
  1. If team practices are in person, they will follow University of Florida health and safety policies. UF policy is guided by evolving guidance from the CDC and UF Health. Currently, facial coverings and social distancing are required in UF facilities. Therefore, these requirements will apply to any in-person practices. If practices are in-person, they will most likely be within individual teams. This means that you would meet with the same small group for every practice. LitiGators who are not in Gainesville or not comfortable meeting in person will be able to attend practice virtually. This will apply to any in-person practices.

Like any other year, we’ll continue to teach our new members, analyze this year’s case, and prepare for tournaments. While tournaments may not be in-person, we’re looking forward to the new opportunities brought by virtual tournaments! If you are interested in joining The LitiGators, fill out this interest form and attend one of our virtual information sessions on September 9th or 10th at 7PM.