It's Mock Trial Time Again - Can You Volunteer?

If you're in the legal profession and have some time to spare for your soon-to-be colleagues, please raise your right hand and repeat after me: "I'll be glad to volunteer for the 32nd Annual Contra Costa County High School Mock Trial Program in Martinez."

The mock trials will be held in the early evenings throughout the month of February, at the Martinez Court Houses. Last year, 120 Bay Area practicing and retired attorneys, law students, and sworn judges volunteered their time with the Mock Trials.

The event, coordinated by the Contra Costa County Office of Education (CCCOE), is aimed at helping high school students get hands-on working knowledge of the judicial system, develop analytical abilities and communication skills, and gain an understanding of their obligations and responsibilities as participating members of our society. This year’s case is a hit-and-run trial (with a texting-while-driving element mixed in): People vs. Vega.

"I encourage all law professionals to join us in serving as volunteer judges and attorney scorers," says Contra Costa County Presiding Judge Barry Goode. "Not only is it a real service to the students, but it will make you feel good. You will be impressed with skill these young men and women demonstrate in our courtrooms.  Every time I volunteer, I leave with a great sense of optimism about the next generation. It is such a treat to watch them at work." 

Teams of high school students work with teachers and volunteer coaches to prepare their version of the criminal case, from both the prosecution and defense perspectives.  Students assume the roles of trial attorneys, pre-trial motion attorneys, witnesses, clerks, bailiffs, artists, and court journalists. Mock Trial judges and attorneys score their performance and provide immediate feedback.  Winning teams advance through seven rounds of competition. The county’s champion advances to the State finals. This year, there will be 17 Contra Costa County high school Mock Trial teams competing.

Volunteers will score two competing schools that argue the cases in their assigned court. Each night, will begin with a 15-minute rules and regulations session, then the volunteers will go into their scheduled courtrooms to serve as Mock Trial judge and scorers.  The Mock Trials’ scorers are made up of Bay Area deputy district attorneys and deputy public defenders, as well as public-sector, private-practice, and corporate lawyers. In addition, seasoned law students are also welcome to participate. A practicing or retired judge or commissioner will preside over each trial, and also serves as one of the trial’s scorers.    

Teams from the following 17 Contra Costa County high schools will be competing:

• Acalanes (Lafayette)
• Campolindo (Moraga)
• Miramonte (Orinda)
• Alhambra (Martinez)
• California (San Ramon)
• Dougherty Valley (San Ramon)
• Clayton Valley Charter (Concord)
• El Cerrito (El Cerrito)
• Hercules Middle/High (Hercules)
• Las Lomas (Walnut Creek)
• Northgate (Walnut Creek)
• Monte Vista (Danville)
• Richmond (Richmond).
• Antioch (Antioch)
• Deer Valley Law Academy (Antioch)
• Heritage (Brentwood),
• Kennedy (Richmond)

Schedule for 2013 Contra Costa County High School Mock Trials:

Preliminaries: February 5, 7, 12, 14, 5:00-7:30 p.m. (Nine competitions each night)

Quarterfinals: February 19, 5:00-7:30 p.m. (Four competitions)

Semifinals: February 21, 5:00-7:30 p.m. (Two competitions)

Final and Consolation: February 26, 5:00-7:30 p.m. (Two competitions)  

Mock Trial will be headquartered at the A.F. Bray Courthouse, in Martinez.

Interested volunteers can learn more by visiting the CCCOE’s Mock Trial Web page, or contacting Jonathan Lance at (925) 942-3429. 

The two highest-scoring teams will advance to the finals on Tuesday, February 26. The winning team will then represent Contra Costa County at the California State Mock Trial competition, held in Riverside, Calif., March 23-25. The California state finalist team will then compete in the National Mock Trial Competition, held in Indianapolis, Ind., May 9-11.