PLEASANT HILL, CA— The 44th Annual Contra Costa County Mock Trial Program is set to begin on Tuesday, January 28, 2025.
This exciting competition will unfold over seven weekday evenings in January and February at the A.F. Bray Courthouse in Martinez. Twenty teams from 19 high schools across Contra Costa County will compete, displaying their litigation skills and dedication.
“Mock Trial provides a unique opportunity for shy students to find their voice and gain confidence,” Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools Lynn Mackey said. “Students not only enhance their public speaking skills but also gain a deep understanding of our legal system and courtroom procedures. Our agency proudly sponsors this inspiring academic competition, and I look forward to the proceedings each year.”
Each Mock Trial evening features courtroom sessions where volunteers serve as presiding judges and scorers. The scorers include prosecuting attorneys, public defenders, corporate lawyers, paralegals, law professors, and former Mock Trial participants. Trials are presided over by a practicing or retired judge, commissioner, or seasoned attorney. With volunteer spots still available, legal professionals can be a part of our program.
Coordinated by the Contra Costa County Office of Education (CCCOE), this hands-on, analytical program offers high school students an opportunity to gain a working knowledge of the court system, enhance their communication skills, and understand the judicial process. This year’s case, People vs. Gold, involves Logan Gold, the assistant campaign manager to their spouse, Harper Dorais, a city council candidate in Emerald Bend, California. Gold, the town’s sole hotel owner, is charged with kidnapping Taylor Alexander, a rival candidate.
High school teams diligently prepare their cases with the help of teachers and volunteer trial coaches. Students step into the roles of trial attorneys, pre-trial motion attorneys, witnesses, clerks, bailiffs, artists, and courtroom journalists. Judges and attorneys score the performances and provide immediate feedback, with the winning teams advancing through seven rounds of competition. The two highest-scoring teams advance to the finals on Tuesday, February 18. The winning team represents Contra Costa County at the California State Mock Trial competition in March in Los Angeles, with the state champion team moving on to the National Mock Trial Competition.
Participating Contra Costa County high schools include:
- Acalanes High (Lafayette)
- Alhambra High (Martinez)
- Athenian (Danville)
- California High (San Ramon)
- Campolindo High (Moraga)
- Carondelet High (Concord)
- Clayton Valley High (Concord)
- College Park High (Pleasant Hill)
- De Anza High (Richmond)
- Deer Valley High (Antioch)
- Dougherty Valley High (San Ramon)
- El Cerrito High (El Cerrito)
- Hercules High (Hercules)
- Heritage High (Brentwood)
- Las Lomas High (Walnut Creek)
- Miramonte High (Orinda)
- Monte Vista High (Danville)
- Richmond High (Richmond)
- San Ramon Valley High (San Ramon)
Schedule for 2025 Contra Costa County High School Mock Trials:
- Preliminaries: January 28, 29; February 4, 6 – 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
- Quarterfinals: February 11, 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
- Semifinals: February 13, 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
- Finals & Consolation Round: February 18, 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
- Mock Trial Awards: February 20, 6 p.m. (Recognition at Pleasant Hill Community Center, 320 Civic Drive, Pleasant Hill, CA)
The California Mock Trial Program currently involves more than 36 counties and over 8,000 student participants.
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