San Diego County High School Mock Trial Competition
The San Diego County High School Mock Trial Competition is an opportunity for San Diego County high school students to prepare and participate in a mock criminal trial. They will develop advocacy skills by taking on the role of attorneys, witnesses, bailiffs and clerks in a trial based on a given set of facts and evidence. Students who participate learn valuable lessons and develop respect for the principles and protections of the U.S. Constitution, the American legal system, and trial procedure. Aided by Attorney Coaches and Teacher Sponsors, students will learn how to think critically, apply facts to law, and communicate effectively.
What is Required to Compete?
To participate in the 2024-2025 Mock Trial Competition season, each team must:
Designate a Teacher Advisor who attends one of the two virtual Teacher Sponsor Orientations
Register your mock trial team no later than September 27, 2024
If you have a pre-existing relationship with an Attorney Coach or Coaches and they have confirmed they wish to coach your team, they attend one of the two virtual Attorney Coach Orientations
Pay the registration fee of $400 and submit student Participation Agreement/Photo Release and Team Roster no later than December 6, 2024
Monitor the San Diego County High School Mock Trial website frequently for information and updates
The Team
Ninth through 12th grade students prepare and present the mock trial from the perspectives of both the prosecution and the defense. Team members assume different roles, including trial attorneys, pre-trial motion attorneys, witnesses, clerks, and bailiffs. Schools may offer the program as a class or school club activity. The Mock Trial Competition consists of four rounds of trials and each team competes twice as the prosecution and twice as the defense, before advancing to the semifinal and final round.
Prosecution Roles:
- Pretrial Motion Attorney – 1 student
- Trial Attorney – 2 to 3 students
- Witnesses – 4 students
- Clerk – 1 student
Defense Roles:
- Pretrial Motion Attorney – 1 student
- Trial Attorney – 2 to 3 students
- Witnesses – 4 students
- Bailiff – 1 student
- Unoffical Timer – 1 student (OPTIONAL)
Example: Minimum of 8 students at each trial:
- Pretrial Motion Attorney – 1 student
- Trial Attorneys – 2 to 3 students
- Witnesses – 4 students
- Clerk or Bailiff – 1 student
Forming a Team
If this is your first year participating in the program, it is recommended that you recruit as many students as you can. Try to set your sights higher than the minimum of eight students as some may drop out when other activities or obligations conflict with the Mock Trial Program. The time involved with preparing a team for the Mock Trial Program varies, but as the competition draws closer in February, you can count on at least 10-20 hours of preparation per week for the students. Please let students know this from the start so they can check their schedules and decide whether to commit to this activity.
There are several ways to recruit students to participate in the Mock Trial Program. Some schools have created mock trial clubs and other schools have developed a mock trial course. Students interested in government, social issues, speech and debate, and performing (theater, athletics), as well as AVID students, are likely candidates for Mock Trial. Check with your school administrators to determine the best way to facilitate the program in your school. If you need assistance forming a team, the Mock Trial Committee can assign your school a Teacher Advisor mentor from another school with several years of experience. This Teacher Sponsor can guide you during your first year taking part in the competition.
How Does a Team Get an Attorney Coach?
Although not mandatory, most mock trial teams find it useful to have Attorney Coaches. They advise the students on general trial techniques and procedures as well as on specific strategies for the case. Attorney Coaches are volunteers and schools have had success identifying and recruiting parents (and other relatives) who are lawyers to serve as Attorney Coaches.
Once a team’s Interest Form is submitted, the San Diego County High School Mock Trial Committee will assist in finding Attorney Coaches, if requested. The Teacher Advisor and the Attorney Coaches will be given contact information for each other so they can coordinate team meetings and team practices for their team. It is up to the Teacher Advisor to work with and involve the Attorney Coach in team meetings and practices.
Awards
In addition to recognizing the first and second place teams, individual students who perform exceptionally well during the Competition will be recognized with awards. In the past, awards have been distributed to students who excelled in the roles of defense and prosecution pretrial motion attorneys, defense and prosecution trial attorneys, defense and prosecution witnesses, clerks and bailiffs.
Outstanding Pretrial Attorney (Prosecution)
Outstanding Pretrial Attorney (Defense)
Outstanding Trial Attorney (Prosecution)
Outstanding Trial Attorney (Defense)
Outstanding Witness (Prosecution)
Outstanding Witness (Defense)
Outstanding Bailiff
Outstanding Clerk
MVP Award
Judge David Bartick Civility Award
History of the High School Mock Trial Competition
In 1980, Constitutional Rights Foundation, now called Teach Democracy, introduced the Mock Trial Program, which already had a strong following in Los Angeles County, to all the counties in California. The program was created to help students acquire a working knowledge of our judicial system, develop analytical abilities and communication skills. San Diego County began participating in the Mock Trial Program in 2007, which now involves 36 California counties.