Illinois Mock Trial Rules

Key Differences from Federal Rules of Evidence

• Illinois adopted its codified Rules of Evidence in 2011, closely modeled on the FRE but preserving certain common-law traditions
• Ill. R. Evid. 702 incorporates the Frye standard for expert testimony rather than the Daubert standard used under FRE 702
• Illinois does not follow FRE 404(b) notice requirements; instead, prior bad acts evidence is governed by case law such as People v. Lindgren

Notable Rules

Key Features

• Illinois uses a two-tier trial court system with Circuit Courts as general jurisdiction courts
• Mandatory arbitration required for civil cases under $50,000 in many counties
• Illinois permits voir dire conducted primarily by attorneys rather than the judge

• Civil juries consist of 6 jurors; parties may stipulate to 12 in complex cases
• Criminal felony juries require 12 jurors with unanimous verdict
• Civil verdicts require concurrence of five-sixths of the jurors (5 of 6)