©SMU Board of Advocates | SMU Dedman School of Law
T
he Dallas Kids Project is a mock trial competition designed for elementary school kids based on the popular Harry Potter series. The program is held biannually and typically the fall competition is held around Halloween. SMU law students serve as mentors and coach elementary school students from Dallas Independent School District. The mentors work with the kids once a week for four weeks to teach them the basics of a civil lawsuit and courtroom procedure and to help them write their arguments for the competition.
Parents and school officials are encouraged to attend the competition at SMU. On the day of the mock trial competition, the kids take a tour of the entire SMU campus and enjoy a pizza party lunch with their mentors before the competition. One of the main goals of the Dallas Kids Project is to promote higher education to elementary students. In furtherance of this goal, the campus tours emphasize the variety of areas of study as well as the abundance of financial aid available.
The mock trial competition is performed exclusively by elementary school students who act as the attorneys, witnesses, and bailiffs for the trial. A judge will preside over the case and a six-person jury comprised of law students will determine the outcome. The judge selects the Best Overall Witness, Best Attorney for the Plaintiff and Best Attorney for the Defense to receive awards.
Questions or comments? Please contact the Community Service Director.
How To Participate
Elementary Schools are contacted at the beginning of each semester via facsimile or e-mail. If you wish to receive information for your school, please contact the Community Service Director. Schools are typically chosen on a first-come, first-served basis and there is always a long waiting list.
Any law school student may apply to be a mentor. Applications are typically distributed towards the beginning of each semester and announced in the all-law announcements. Law students are also needed to serve as jurors on the day of the trial. Participating law students may receive BOA points or public service hours for participating. Typically a law school professor, attorney or judge presides over the competition as judge. Any interested parties may contact the Community Service Director if they are interested in participating.
DKP Calendar
Jan. 26th: Applications for Law School Mentors Available
Jan. 28th: Applications for Law School Mentors Due
Feb. 2nd-Feb. 20th: Weekly Mock Trial Practices at Sudie Williams Elementary School
Week of Feb. 23rd: Mock Trial in Hillcrest at SMU Dedman School of Law
Documents
Dallas Kid Project Information Sheet
Dallas Kids Project Mentor Application
©SMU Board of Advocates | SMU Dedman School of Law