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The MU School of Law offers a collegial environment, reinforced by a small student body and a low faculty-student ratio. The intimacy of this setting, coupled with reasonable cost, consistently high bar passage rates, a network of alumni around the globe and access to top scholars in the legal world, make MU Law one of the best values in the nation.
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Student Resources
What is HATTS?
HATTS is a group of students and faculty dedicated to exploring the intersection of law, history, and theatre. Each year the society selects an event from history that represents a potential cause of action but was never tried in its own time. The members of the group then research the event and stage a mock trial in which they apply modern law to the historical facts. As part of the trial, various MU law students and faculty members portray characters involved with the crime and the lawyers who will try the case. The case will be tried by two teams comprised of one MU law student and one experienced attorney.
Programs
The Trail's End: The Trial of Bonnie Parker
April 9, 2012
On April 1, 1934, the notorious outlaws Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow allegedly gunned down a young highway patrolman. An eyewitness of the events said that it was Bonnie Parker who pulled the trigger. The shocking event became known as the "Grapevine Murder" and was particularly noteworthy because it was the first time Bonnie was thought to have actively participated in nefarious misdeeds of the Barrow gang. Now, MU law students and faculty will try Bonnie Parker for her role in the Grapevine Murder.
Creating Life and Death: The Trial of Dr. Frankenstein
February 10, 2011
Dr. Victor Frankenstein will be tried for the wrongful death of his assistant, Igor, who was murdered by Frankenstein's monstrous creation. Is Dr. Frankenstein responsible for the actions of his creation, or should this "creature" be considered a human adult that is solely responsible for its own behavior? These questions and more will be argued and decided by MU Law faculty, staff and students, as well as practicing lawyers and judges.
United States v. John Brown
October 15, 2009
On October 15th, in a change of venue from the Law School Courtroom to the bright lights of the Missouri Theatre of the Arts, HATTS puts John Brown on trial for his role in the murder of five pro-slavery men at the Pottawatomie Creek Massacre. Brown (freedom fighter to some, 19th century terrorist to others) was never tried for these crimes. Now, a jury of twelve, with a guest federal judge presiding, will decide whether Brown will be held accountable.
State of Missouri v. Governor Crittenden
April 3, 2008
Notorious outlaw Jesse James was killed by Robert Ford 126 years ago.On April 3, School of Law students brought to justice the man responsible, former Missouri governor Thomas Crittenden. The School of Law's Historical and Theatrical Trials Society (HATTS) presented a historical mock trial of Gov. Crittenden for his role in the murder of Jesse James. In 1881, Gov. Crittenden began strenuous efforts to rid Missouri of James' gang of criminals and, as part of his efforts, allied with railroad companies to circulate a $5,000 reward poster for James' apprehension "dead or alive." Robert Ford infiltrated James' gang and killed him on April 3, 1882. HATTS presented the trial of Gov. Crittenden for solicitation of murder through the reward poster and an alleged meeting with Ford.