Courtroom Artist Competition

The Courtroom Artist Contest allows talented high school artists an opportunity to participate in the Mock Trial Program. Contestants will attend the Virginia State High School Mock Trial Competition with their team and create a drawing of the courtroom scene during their team's trial in Round 3. 

The winner of the state competition is eligible to attend the NHSMTC Courtroom Artist Contest.

Additional rules

  • Contestants may practice drawing in Rounds 1 and 2, in the courtroom where their team is competing.

  • The sketch must depict an actual courtroom scene that you observe during Round 3.

  • During the trial, introduce yourself to the scorers, say your name, and identify yourself as the courtroom artist. Do not say what school you are from.

  • You may sit in the jury box away from scorers if available.

  • Once the trial begins, you may not move about the courtroom. Artists may not communicate, either verbally or nonverbally, with any member of the mock trial teams or any visitors in the courtroom.

  • At the end of Round 3, give your drawing to the presiding judge or courtroom liaison. (For virtual competitions, you will be given special instructions for how to submit your drawing.)

  • The art submission may be done in color or in black and white

  • The drawing must be on paper of the dimensions 11” X 14”, in a horizontal format.

  • The drawing may be done in any of the following mediums: color pencil, pen and ink, pastel, or marker. No watercolors or paint are allowed.

  • The back of the drawing must include the artist’s name and team code; no signatures are allowed on the front of the submission.

Judging components

  • Sketches are evaluated and scored anonymously by a judge or judging team. The highest scored sketch will be named the State Courtroom Artist Champion.

  • The results of the Courtroom Artist Contest will be announced at the awards ceremony.

Tips and ideas

  • Find the most newsworthy action that occurred in the courtroom. Look for an “aha” moment, an intriguing witness, or a shocking development that captures the emotion of the trial.

  • Strive for accuracy in depicting the courtroom setting, but don’t focus on sketching a microphone instead of the witness on the stand.

  • Let the viewer know right away that this is a courtroom. Include items that convey that setting, but remember to tell as full a story as possible instead of focusing on minute details.

  • Watch this video to learn more about being a courtroom artist.