Giving young people immersive experiences in the law provides them 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) July 29-August 1, 2024, 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.

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 expand on the legal processes learned in their state programs and build their skills at an even higher level.

In 2023, more than 225 students from 15 states participated in the conference.

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 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. 

Evaluator shifts are either two or three hours and volunteers will be given detailed instructions and a scoring rubric prior to their shift.

Sign up to Volunteer