Contra Costa County Office of Education

REGISTER FOR THE 2025 MOCK TRIALS NOW!

Preliminary Trials

Quarterfinals

Semifinals

Finals

Awards Night

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.