JUDICIAL MOCK TRIAL PRACTICE STARTS NOW!
JUDICIAL MOCK TRIAL PRACTICE STARTS NOW!
Youth Government
YOUTH JUDICIAL PROGRAM
PRACTICE / SCRIMMAGES - APR-SEPT
- GRADES 6-12 - Students learn about mock trial, practice, and then scrimmage teams from other schools
REGIONAL - OCT - HUNTSVILLE
- GRADES 9-12 - One-day Competition to Qualify for State
STATE - NOV 6-8 MONTGOMERY
- GRADES 9-12 - Three-day, two-night competition
WHAT IS YOUTH JUDICIAL?
- Mock trial teams present a pre-selected criminal or civil case.
- Participants work with coaches, attorneys, and YIG club alum to prepare them for mock trial.
- Trial teams consist of up to eight members (3 attorneys, 3-5 witnesses).
- Additional opportunities are available for individuals to serve as Bailiff, Clerk, or Sheriff.
- At the State Conference, exciting elections, free time activities (dance, games, etc.) top off this unique experience.
YOUTH JUDICIAL PROGRAM
WHAT IS YOUTH JUDICIAL?
LOCAL COMPETITIONS GRADES 7-12
REGIONAL OCT (TBD) GRADES 9-12 - One-day competition to qualify for State
STATE NOV 6-8 MONTGOMERY - During this 3-day, 2-night experiential event, mock trial teams present a pre-selected and modified case provided by the YMCA staff. Prior to the conference, participants work with attorneys, club alum and team coaches who help them understand the judicial system and prepare them for the trial. Judicial mock trial teams consist of up to eight members including three attorneys, three witnesses, and two alternates. Participants may also serve in various elected and/or appointed offices including Chief Justice, Attorney General, Asst. Attorney General, and more. Exciting elections, dances, and lots of fellowship top off this fantastic educational experience.
YOUTH JUDICIAL PROGRAM
WHAT IS YOUTH JUDICIAL?
LOCAL COMPETITIONS GRADES 7-12
REGIONAL OCT (TBD) GRADES 9-12 - One-day competition to qualify for State
STATE NOV 6-8 MONTGOMERY - During this 3-day, 2-night experiential event, mock trial teams present a pre-selected and modified case provided by the YMCA staff. Prior to the conference, participants work with attorneys, club alum and team coaches who help them understand the judicial system and prepare them for the trial. Judicial mock trial teams consist of up to eight members including three attorneys, three witnesses, and two alternates. Participants may also serve in various elected and/or appointed offices including Chief Justice, Attorney General, Asst. Attorney General, and more. Exciting elections, dances, and lots of fellowship top off this fantastic educational experience.
YOUTH JUDICIAL PROGRAM
WHAT IS YOUTH JUDICIAL?
LOCAL COMPETITIONS GRADES 7-12
REGIONAL OCT (TBD) GRADES 9-12 - One-day competition to qualify for State
STATE NOV 6-8 MONTGOMERY - During this 3-day, 2-night experiential event, mock trial teams present a pre-selected and modified case provided by the YMCA staff. Prior to the conference, participants work with attorneys, club alum and team coaches who help them understand the judicial system and prepare them for the trial. Judicial mock trial teams consist of up to eight members including three attorneys, three witnesses, and two alternates. Participants may also serve in various elected and/or appointed offices including Chief Justice, Attorney General, Asst. Attorney General, and more. Exciting elections, dances, and lots of fellowship top off this fantastic educational experience.
JUNIOR YOUTH LEGISLATURE
At the Junior Youth Legislature, middle school students are encouraged to step outside of their comfort zone, meet new people, try new things, and keep an open mind as they experience the legislative process firsthand through activities which include officer elections as well as workshops on bill writing and parliamentary procedure. Participants will also join with others to come up with their own legislation (a bill). Selected bills will then be presented by the authors and debated as part of a mock legislative session.
Junior Youth Legislature also serves as an introduction to the much larger, student-led, High School conference which is a 3-night, 4-day full model legislature held at the Capitol Building in Montgomery.
The Youth-in-Government program provides students with a unique opportunity to be part of a community—one that promotes understanding of the challenges individuals face, acceptance of defeat without discouragement, and tolerance towards points of view different than their own. This sense of community and deep friendships will last a lifetime, impacting not only their individual lives but also the lives of the people around them.
JUNIOR YOUTH LEGISLATURE
SIGN UP NOW! EMAIL ANATION@CHEROKEEK12.ORG
CLICK HERE FOR THE REGISTRATION PACKET
At the Junior Youth Legislature, middle school students are encouraged to step outside of their comfort zone, meet new people, try new things, and keep an open mind as they experience the legislative process firsthand through activities which include officer elections as well as workshops on bill writing and parliamentary procedure. Participants will also join with others to come up with their own legislation (a bill). Selected bills will then be presented by the authors and debated as part of a mock legislative session.
Junior Youth Legislature also serves as an introduction to the much larger, student-led, High School conference which is a 3-night, 4-day full model legislature held at the Capitol Building in Montgomery.
The Youth-in-Government program provides students with a unique opportunity to be part of a community—one that promotes understanding of the challenges individuals face, acceptance of defeat without discouragement, and tolerance towards points of view different than their own. This sense of community and deep friendships will last a lifetime, impacting not only their individual lives but also the lives of the people around them.
SENIOR LEGISLATURE feb 27-mar 1 2026
More Info? EMAIL ANATION@CHEROKEEK12.ORG
WHAT IS YOUTH LEGISLATURE? (Grades 9-12)
During this 4-day, 3-night experiential event, students conduct a mock legislative session, presenting bills that they have researched and written on a topic of their choice, taking it through the complete legislative process AND exciting elections, dances, and lots of fellowship top off this fantastic educational experience.
Participants may also run for or serve in various elected and/or appointed offices including Governor, Speaker of the House or President of the Senate, Lt. Governor, House or Senate Secretary and Asst. Secretary, House or Senate Pro temp-ore, House or Senate Floor Leader, Supreme Court Justice, Governor’s Cabinet, Committee Chair, Chaplain and more.
SENIOR LEGISLATURE feb 27-mar 1 2026
More Info? EMAIL ANATION@CHEROKEEK12.ORG
WHAT IS YOUTH LEGISLATURE? (Grades 9-12)
During this 4-day, 3-night experiential event, students conduct a mock legislative session, presenting bills that they have researched and written on a topic of their choice, taking it through the complete legislative process AND exciting elections, dances, and lots of fellowship top off this fantastic educational experience.
Participants may also run for or serve in various elected and/or appointed offices including Governor, Speaker of the House or President of the Senate, Lt. Governor, House or Senate Secretary and Asst. Secretary, House or Senate Pro temp-ore, House or Senate Floor Leader, Supreme Court Justice, Governor’s Cabinet, Committee Chair, Chaplain and more.
SENIOR LEGISLATURE feb 27-mar 1 2026
More Info? EMAIL ANATION@CHEROKEEK12.ORG
WHAT IS YOUTH LEGISLATURE? (Grades 9-12)
During this 4-day, 3-night experiential event, students conduct a mock legislative session, presenting bills that they have researched and written on a topic of their choice, taking it through the complete legislative process AND exciting elections, dances, and lots of fellowship top off this fantastic educational experience.
Participants may also run for or serve in various elected and/or appointed offices including Governor, Speaker of the House or President of the Senate, Lt. Governor, House or Senate Secretary and Asst. Secretary, House or Senate Pro temp-ore, House or Senate Floor Leader, Supreme Court Justice, Governor’s Cabinet, Committee Chair, Chaplain and more.
SENIOR LEGISLATURE feb 27-mar 1 2026
More Info? EMAIL ANATION@CHEROKEEK12.ORG
WHAT IS YOUTH LEGISLATURE? (Grades 9-12)
During this 4-day, 3-night experiential event, students conduct a mock legislative session, presenting bills that they have researched and written on a topic of their choice, taking it through the complete legislative process AND exciting elections, dances, and lots of fellowship top off this fantastic educational experience.
Participants may also run for or serve in various elected and/or appointed offices including Governor, Speaker of the House or President of the Senate, Lt. Governor, House or Senate Secretary and Asst. Secretary, House or Senate Pro temp-ore, House or Senate Floor Leader, Supreme Court Justice, Governor’s Cabinet, Committee Chair, Chaplain and more.
SENIOR LEGISLATURE feb 27-mar 1 2026
More Info? EMAIL ANATION@CHEROKEEK12.ORG
WHAT IS YOUTH LEGISLATURE? (Grades 9-12)
During this 4-day, 3-night experiential event, students conduct a mock legislative session, presenting bills that they have researched and written on a topic of their choice, taking it through the complete legislative process AND exciting elections, dances, and lots of fellowship top off this fantastic educational experience.
Participants may also run for or serve in various elected and/or appointed offices including Governor, Speaker of the House or President of the Senate, Lt. Governor, House or Senate Secretary and Asst. Secretary, House or Senate Pro temp-ore, House or Senate Floor Leader, Supreme Court Justice, Governor’s Cabinet, Committee Chair, Chaplain and more.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
ALL YOUTH GOV MEMBERS ARE ELIGIBLE TO REQUEST FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM THE YMCA for any conference or event inlcuding, bur not limited to, Junior & Senior Youth Legislature, Youth Judicial, Officer Training, CONA, National Judicial Conference/
CLICK HERE for the Financial Assistance Application- Turn in directly to the YMCA according to the instructions on the form OR you may turn it in to your club advisor who will send it in for you. Either way,IT WILL NOT BE PROCESSED WITHOUT THE REQUESTED DOCUMENTS. This is for scholarships provided by the YMCA.
2024 Youth Judicial Regional Mock Trial Competition
Congratulations to the 2024 Youth Judicial Teams for an outstanding performance at the Northeast Alabama Regional Competition
AWARDS
Outstanding Judge: Cara Brooks
Best Premiere Witness: Addison Hunter
Best Premiere Attorney: Nate Turner
Best Witness: Kaitlyn Mertel
Best Attorney: Anthony Gaidurgis
TEAMS
Nate Turner, Captain/Attorney
Connor Tallent, Attorney
Jaxon Mageo, Attorney
Addison Hunter, Witness
Jeffery Givens, Witness
Lydia Reynolds, Witness
Makenzie Mertel, Captain/Witness
Anthony Gaidurgis, Attorney
Will Butler, Attorney
Briston Hale, Attorney
Kaitly Mertel, Witness
Lilly Mitchell, Witness
Sam Gann, Witness
JUDGES
Cara Brooks
Precious Clanton
Reagan Tallent
Ava Hammett
BAILIFFS
Isabella Segura
Hunter Wood
Mackenzie Mayo