An Introduction into American Law & Mock Trial
In cooperation with the 21st Theater Support Command of the US Forces, Ramstein Air Base, the Europa-Institut offers a Comparative Law Introduction to the legal system of the USA and the Rule of Evidence in American Courts with the title "An Introduction into American Law & Mock Trial".
After the introduction, there is a mock trial where the participants have the opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge. Mock Trials are simulated court proceedings for teaching and training purposes which should correspond to a real situation as much as possible. They are very common in English-speaking countries. In the U.S., Mock Trials take place during many stages of legal training, often in a competitive way. The focus is on practical relevance, exercise and the understanding of procedural problems as well as the acquisition of basic skills which will be relevant later on during the professional life. In our Mock Trial, the participants will take on the roles of witnesses, lawyers or jury-members.
Mock Trial Case Study 2026
A mock criminal trial held on January 29, 2026, examined the legal boundaries of police authority, use of force, and student rights following the arrest of Street Law High School (SLHS) student Andrew Madison. The trial was part of the Europa‑Institut’s program “An Introduction into American Law & Mock Trial,” led by members of the legal department of the U.S. Army’s 21st Theater Sustainment Command (Kaiserslautern). The program provides an English‑language introduction to the U.S. legal system and American rules of evidence, followed by a mock trialin which participants apply their newly acquired knowledge.
Mock trials are simulated court proceedings used for teaching and training. They aim to mirror real‑world legal situations as closely as possible and are widely used in the English‑speaking world, particularly in the United States, where they form an important part of legal education and skills development. Participants take on the roles of attorneys, witnesses, and jurors, gaining practical experience in courtroom procedure and legal reasoning.
Click here for a report of one of the participants!
