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In cooperation with the Maryland State Bar Association and the Maryland Judicial Conference, CLREP sponsors an annual high school Mock Trial competition each academic year. Initiated in 1983, school participation in Mock Trial continues to increase, with representation from most counties in Maryland.

The success of the Mock Trial program is heavily dependent upon volunteer attorneys and judges who coach teams, and score competitions at local, regional, semi-final and final levels. Each year, several hundred attorneys, masters and judges across the state volunteer for this program.

Most teams compete at least four times in local matches, as both prosecution/plaintiff and defense. By the time a team has reached the State Competition, they have competed, on average, ten to twelve times. Virtually all competitions are held in either district or circuit courtrooms. The top four teams from Maryland advance to Annapolis for the semi-finals; the top two teams then advance to the State Championship, held in the Courts of Appeals Building in Annapolis.

The objectives of this program are as follows:

• To further understanding of the law, court procedures, and the legal system;
• To increase proficiency in basic life skills such as listening, speaking, reading and reasoning;
• To promote better communication and cooperation between the high school community and legal profession; and
• To heighten appreciation for academic studies as well as career consciousness of law-related professions.