MNU Pioneer Mock Trial Team

What is Mock Trial?

The MNU Pioneer Mock Trial Team acts as attorneys and witnesses to prepare a fictional court case for trial. Team members learn to apply proper direct and cross examination techniques, practice compelling methods for delivering opening statements and closing arguments, and master complex rules of evidence that form the basis for proper objections. Once prepared, our team competes head-to-head against other college teams at several tournaments. Each round is conducted like a trial and is judged by practicing attorneys. For example, in one round our team might play the side of the prosecution against a team from another school acting as the defense, or vice-versa.

Team Accomplishments

The MNU Pioneer Mock Trial Team competed in two tournaments during the 2009-2010 season. At the Macalester College Invitational Tournament in St. Paul, Minnesota the team recorded wins against Hamline University and the University of Wisconsin-Superior. At the Great Plains Regional Tournament at the Washburn University School of Law the team finished in a tie for 10th place out of 24 teams and was only 8 points away from a 4th place finish. The team recorded wins against the University of Kansas, the University of Denver, and Drake University. Team member Jeff Johnson was also selected as an All-Region Outstanding Witness.

We are proud that several former MNU Pioneer Mock Trial Team members are pursuing law degrees at the University of Kansas School of Law and Baylor Law School.

Team Coaches

Professor Todd C. Hiestand

After receiving a degree in Business Psychology from MNU, Todd attended the University of Nebraska College of Law where he obtained his juris doctorate "with distinction." At the University of Nebraska he was a member of the University of Nebraska National Moot Court Team and was selected by the College of Law faculty as a National Member of The Order of Barristers. Todd is a member of the MNU faculty in the Department of Criminal Justice and has written and presented on topics dealing with criminal law.

Assistant District Attorney Stephen A. Hunting

Steve graduated from MNU with a degree in ministry and received his law degree from the University of Kansas School of Law where he was a member of their National Moot Court Team. Steve prosecutes violent felonies, white collar crime, and is supervisor of the Family Law Division as an Assistant District Attorney in the Shawnee County, Kansas District Attorney's Office. Steve assists in the training of new attorneys in the district attorney's office, provides training to law enforcement officers on criminal law issues, and has presented at conferences on domestic violence prosecution.

MNU is a member of the American Mock Trial Association.

For more information, visit www.collegemocktrial.org