NATIONAL JUDICIAL COMPETITION (NJC)

Giving young people immersive experiences in the law provides them with reasoning skills and confidence that will benefit them for the rest of their lives.

For the third year in a row, the Center for Youth Voice is proud to host the YMCA National Judicial Competition (NJC), at the Minnesota Capitol Complex. NJC is a YMCA-sponsored competition consisting of a national-level Mock Trial (criminal court) and a Model Supreme Court (appellate). Students in grades 9-12 from across the country choose one track or the other and prepare all aspects of the case. Dates coming soon!

High school students from any state who have previously participated in Youth in Government or Mock Trial can compete at NJC. This high-achieving group of students expands on the legal processes learned in their state programs and builds their skills at an even higher level.

In 2022, more than 200 students from 15 states participated in the conference, with Texas winning the Appellate Case and Alabama winning the Mock Trial.

For more details or to sign up to receive registration information, please send an email to youthvoice@ymcanorth.org.

Come Volunteer at NJC!

We are seeking up to 100 adult volunteers in law-related professions (attorneys, law students, paralegals, etc.) to provide scores and written feedback based on the knowledge and skills the young people demonstrate during each trial. 

Volunteers will attend one Zoom training prior to the competition and will receive a score sheet and rubric to assist in applying standards to their evaluations. Volunteers can commit to a single three-hour slot or multiple slots over the course of a day or the entire conference.

Volunteer Registration COMING SOON!

Please join us in delivering this high-impact program to some of the best and brightest high school legal minds from across the U.S.!