PLEASANT HILL, Calif. — Contra Costa County Office of Education (CCCOE) is calling on legal professionals to help make the 2026 Contra Costa County Mock Trial Program a success. As aspiring Mickey Hallers and Annalise Keatings gear up for their moment in the spotlight at the 45th Annual Mock Trial Program, CCCOE needs help from the East Bay community to fill more than 150 volunteer scoring and judge positions.
Judges, lawyers, law students, paralegals, and retired legal professionals are invited to volunteer for one or more evenings in January and February 2026. MCLE credit is available through the Contra Costa Bar Association for those who participate.
Scoring attorneys and presiding judges play a vital role. Volunteers either sit in the jury box to score or preside from the bench as students conduct a full trial in a timed format. While the trials take place in the evening, the experience is far from a sitcom like Night Court. The competition is intense and offers students a hands-on legal education that builds courtroom knowledge, critical thinking, and public speaking skills. Participants argue a real case, think on their feet, and receive feedback from professionals.
Volunteer support is essential—no trial law experience is required, just time, insight, and a commitment to mentoring future leaders.
The program kicks off on January 27, 2026, at the A.F. Bray Courthouse in Martinez. The competition spans seven weekday evenings. Judges and attorneys evaluate student performances and provide immediate feedback. The top two teams advance to the finals on February 18, with the winner representing Contra Costa County at the California State Mock Trial in March. The state champion moves on to the National Mock Trial Competition.
The time commitment for volunteers is minimal, but the impact is lasting. Mock Trial volunteers can help shape the future of the legal profession—and may even meet future colleagues. Volunteer information can be found on CCCOE’s Mock Trial webpage.
2026 Contra Costa County High School Mock Trial Schedule:
- January 27: Preliminary Trials #1
- January 29: Preliminary Trials #2
- February 3: Preliminary Trials #3
- February 5: Preliminary Trials #4
- February 10: Quarterfinal Trials
- February 11: Semifinal Trials
- February 17: Final Trials
About Contra Costa County Office of Education
One of 58 counties in California, Contra Costa County has the 11th largest public-school student population in the state (approximately 169,394 students). Officially established in 1932, CCCOE has a long history of providing direct services to some of the county’s most vulnerable students, including young people who are incarcerated, homeless, or in foster care, as well as students who have severe physical or emotional challenges.
CCCOE also provides support services to schools and school districts in Contra Costa County; services that can be handled most effectively and economically on a regional basis rather than by each of the county’s 287 schools or 18 school districts. These services range from budget approval and fiscal support to technology infrastructure, communication support, and high-level professional development opportunities for educators. CCCOE maintains a website at www.cocoschools.org.
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