Hamilton Opening Round Championship Series
The Opening Round Championship Series, or ORCS, is the second round of the American Mock Trial Association's annual national tournament structure. ORCS tournaments host the top teams from each of AMTA's Regional tournaments. Once they have qualified to ORCS, teams must place in the top six to qualify to AMTA's National Championship Tournament. The Hamilton ORCS Tournament is one of 8 ORCS tournaments, which are hosted by different universities across the country over the course of two weekends in March. The Hamilton ORCS is hosted by Miami University and will take place on March 14 and 15, 2026 at the Butler County Common Pleas Court.
We are seeking practicing attorneys, judges, law students, and AMTA alumni to volunteer as judges for the tournament.
We welcome judges from all legal backgrounds to sign up. If you have any questions, please contact us at the email below!
For Judges:
All of our trials will take place in the Butler County Court of Common Pleas at 315 High Street, Hamilton, Ohio 45011. You must enter through the second-floor security area, then proceed to the third or fourth floor. This entrance is the only one available for both entry and exit to the courthouse.
Judges should arrive 35-40 minutes before each round they are scheduled to judge. The judges should go to the judges’ room, which is located on the first floor in the jury assembly room.
Everyone entering the courthouse will need to pass through security. Please bring a valid form of identification to ensure this process goes smoothly. Security would like to remind individuals to avoid bringing scissors, wearing large metal belts, and carrying any additional contraband.
Competitors at the Hamilton ORCS will be trying the case of State v. Charlie Martin. Below is a synopsis of the case problem:
Charlie Martin was indicted for criminal homicide for causing the death of fellow contestant Rob Armstrong during the filming of reality TV show The Saboteurs. Charlie Martin has entered a plea of “not guilty” and the mattered is scheduled for a jury trial in the Charlotte County District Court.
Finally, for judges who may be new to the lovely state of Midlands, below is an attachment to the Midlands Rules of Evidence, which attorneys will be referencing in trial.
