Mock Trial
SCHEDULE FOR THE 2025 MOCK TRIALS
SCHEDULE FOR THE 2025 MOCK TRIALS![]()
SCHEDULE FOR THE 2025 MOCK TRIALS
Preliminary Trials
Tuesday, January 28, 2025
Thursday, January 30, 2025
Tuesday, February 4, 2025
Thursday, February 6, 2025
Quarterfinals
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
Semifinals
Thursday, February 13, 2025
Finals
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
Awards Night
Thursday, February 20, 2025
MOCK TRIAL OVERVIEW
MOCK TRIAL OVERVIEW![]()
MOCK TRIAL OVERVIEW
The Mock Trial Program is sponsored by Teach Democracy (formerly Constitutional Rights Foundation). Each year, Teach Democracy creates a mock trial that addresses serious matters facing young people today.
Coordinated by the Contra Costa County Office of Education (CCCOE), the annual Mock Trial competition in Contra Costa County is a hands-on educational program created to help high school students acquire a working knowledge of our judicial system, develop analytical abilities and communication skills, and gain an understanding of their obligations and responsibilities as participating members of our society.
Each team works with teacher and attorney coaches to prepare their version of the criminal case, both from the prosecution and defense perspective. Students assume the roles of trial attorneys, pretrial motion attorneys, witnesses, clerks and bailiffs. Through these role-playing techniques, students learn about the content and processes of law in an exciting and vibrant way. By studying the case and preparing strategies and arguments for trial, students also increase their public speaking skills, analytical ability and team cooperation.
Designed for competition at the high school level, some schools offer the Mock Trial Program as a class rather than an extra-curricular activity.
Coordinated by the Contra Costa County Office of Education (CCCOE), the annual Mock Trial competition in Contra Costa County is a hands-on educational program created to help high school students acquire a working knowledge of our judicial system, develop analytical abilities and communication skills, and gain an understanding of their obligations and responsibilities as participating members of our society.
Each team works with teacher and attorney coaches to prepare their version of the criminal case, both from the prosecution and defense perspective. Students assume the roles of trial attorneys, pretrial motion attorneys, witnesses, clerks and bailiffs. Through these role-playing techniques, students learn about the content and processes of law in an exciting and vibrant way. By studying the case and preparing strategies and arguments for trial, students also increase their public speaking skills, analytical ability and team cooperation.
Designed for competition at the high school level, some schools offer the Mock Trial Program as a class rather than an extra-curricular activity.
ART AND JOURNALIST CONTESTS
ART AND JOURNALIST CONTESTS![]()
ART AND JOURNALIST CONTESTS
Students may also participate in the Mock Trial competition as Courtroom Artists and Courtroom Journalists. Both are companion competition programs to Mock Trials.
Courtroom Art Contests - As courtroom artists, students accompany their Mock Trial teams and sketch courtroom scenes that are later judged by a team of art judges. The two winners of the art competition represent Contra Costa County at the state finals. Artist rules and registration information can be found here.
Courtroom Art Contests - As courtroom artists, students accompany their Mock Trial teams and sketch courtroom scenes that are later judged by a team of art judges. The two winners of the art competition represent Contra Costa County at the state finals. Artist rules and registration information can be found here.
Courtroom Journalism Contest - Interested students are given the opportunity to report on a Mock Trial from the perspective of a journalist. As courtroom reporters, students accompany their school's Mock Trial team to the preliminary rounds of the competition. Courtroom reporters write and submit one 500 word news article on the trial they attended. Articles are judged by a panel of specialists. The two winners represent Contra Costa County at the state finals. Journalist rules and registration can be found here.
