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Mock Trial
The County Mock Trial program is proudly sponsored and coordinated by MCOE.
As part of the program, high school team members step into the roles of attorneys and witnesses in a fictional criminal trial. Each year, Teach Democracy creates and produces a new set of Mock Trial materials based on an important issue facing America's youth. Teams are paired with an attorney coach who guides them in preparing pretrial motions, opening and closing statements, witness examination, and general courtroom procedures.
The program also features courtroom art and journalism contests, fostering creativity alongside legal knowledge. Through participation, students build self-confidence and develop crucial life skills such as critical thinking, analytical reasoning, effective communication, and teamwork. They gain a deeper understanding of the Constitution and how laws are applied in our courts and legal system.
In addition, students have the unique opportunity to engage directly with positive adult role models, including distinguished legal professionals, which helps them develop an awareness of careers in the legal field.
How to Participate
Open to: Grades 6-12*
- Contact the county coordinator to register with the County
- All schools participitating must register online with Teach Democracy, in addition to registering with MCOE, to participate in the county competeition.
- Every participating school needs a teacher coach and at least one attorney coach. MCOE can assist in recruiting an attorney coach.
*Middle School students can only participate in the scrimmages.
2024-25 Important Dates
Aug 2024: Coach Kick Off
Sep 15, 2024: Intent to Participate Due
Oct 2024: Coordinators Meeting
Dec 7, 2024: Mendocino & Lake Co. Scrimmages
Jan 15, 2025: Team Paperwork Due
Feb 2025: County Finals
Mar 2025: California Mock Trial State Finals
|
Date
|
Event/item
|
Notes
|
|---|---|---|
| September 5 | County Registration Deadline | Required to receive materials and compete |
| September 6 | Case Brief Release | Preview of the 2024-25 case |
| September 12 | Case Release | Available at 3:00 pm - password required |
| September 16 | County Case Materials Shipped | To registered counties that request them |
| December 13 | Case Questions Deadline | Questions to be considered for errata |
| January 7 | Updated Case Release | Case included all errata items with password |
| January 31 | CA School Registration Deadline | Requried for all team to participate in their county competition |
| January 31 | County Fees Deadline | $275 per team - MCOE pays the fee |
- Contact MCOE to get password for case materials
- MCOE pays for the fees to participate in the County finals
- County winning team will recieve $1,000 from MCOE for travel costs to the State finals
The Courtroom Art Contest offers artistically talented students a chance to engage with the Mock Trial Program. Participants observe their school's Mock Trials and create drawings depicting courtroom scenes. Each Mock Trial team can enter up to two courtroom artists. The winner of the county contest advances to compete at the state Mock Trial Finals.
The Courtroom Journalist Contest gives students the opportunity to experience a courtroom setting through the lens of a news reporter while learning about the American legal system from real judges and attorneys. Acting as newspaper reporters covering a criminal case, students observe their school's mock trials and have 24 hours to submit an article capturing the courtroom drama.
We Need Volunteers!
MCOE is seeking volunteers from members of the county bar to give a few hours of time to the Mendocino County Mock Trial Program.
As an attorney coach, students will look to you for guidance in both their performance and their courtroom decorum. Your role is to help the students by pointing them in the right direction, and to give them the benefit of your experience. To achieve the educational goals of the mock trial program, the preparation phase of the contest must be to be a cooperative effort of students, teacher and attorney coach.
Scoring attorney volunteers critique and score each participant of the six trial rounds. The scorers sit in the jury box while the student teams present their case to the judge or commissioner. Scorers are given a set of criteria for rating the individuals and teams. The criteria include the quality of the students' presentations, their grasp of the lawand court procedures, and their understanding of the case itself. Time commitment is approximately two hours per round and you may score as many rounds as you choose.
MCLE credit countable activity.
As a Mendocino County Judge or Commissioner we welcome your expertise in presiding over the Mock Trial Competition. Giving your time and energy to this program is a significant opportunity to educate high school students about our courts and the justice system. The time commitment is approximately two hours per trial and you may preside over as many trials as you choose.
County Coordinator
Director - Learning and Enrichment