PLEASANT HILL, Calif., —Bay Area soon-to-be, practicing, and retired law professionals are invited to provide assistance to their future colleagues at the upcoming 40th Annual Contra Costa County High School Mock Trial Program, held live and virtually on seven weekday early evenings, during January and February. Last year, close to 80 Bay Area practicing and retired attorneys and sworn judges, as well as third-year law students, volunteered their time with the mock trial competitions.
Coordinated by the Contra Costa County Office of Education (CCCOE), the annual mock trial competition 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.
This year’s case, People v. Croddy, is the trial of Lee Croddy, the host of a popular YouTube channel called The Right Choice of News (RCN), who has been charged with two counts: (1) aiding and abetting in the commission of first-degree burglary by another, and (2) accessory after the fact. This case will also feature a pre-trial argument on the Fifth Amendment protection against self-incrimination and as set forth in Miranda v. Arizona.
“It is always so impressive to see the students prosecute and defend so professionally in the courtroom,” Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools Lynn Mackey said. “It is even more impressive that these students are still excited to compete in a virtual courtroom. No doubt, a lot of time has been spent preparing for their time in court. In addition, the attorneys and judges serving as volunteers are always in awe of what they have witnessed in the Mock Trial courtroom.”
Teams of high school students work with teachers and volunteer coaches to prepare their version of the criminal case from both the prosecution and defense perspectives. Students assume the roles of pre-trial and trial attorneys, witnesses, clerks, bailiffs, artists, and court journalists. Judges and attorneys score their performance and provide immediate feedback. Winning teams advance through seven rounds of competition. The county’s champion advances to the State finals. This year, there will be 18 Mock Trial teams competing, representing high schools throughout all of Contra Costa County.
Via Zoom meetings, volunteers will view and score two competing schools that argue the case in their assigned court. Each night will begin with a 15-minute rules and regulations training, then the volunteers will go into their assigned Zoom “courtrooms” to serve as Mock Trial judge and scorers. Visit this link to learn about Zoom tips for Mock Trial volunteers.
There will be 18 teams from the following 19 Contra Costa County high schools will be competing:
- Acalanes High (Lafayette)
- Alhambra High (Martinez)
- California High (San Ramon)
- Campolindo High (Moraga)
- Carondelet High (Concord)
- De La Salle (Concord)
- De Anza High (Richmond)
- De La Salle (Concord)
- Deer Valley Law Academy (Antioch)
- Dougherty Valley High (San Ramon)
- El Cerrito High (El Cerrito)
- Hercules High (Hercules)
- Heritage High (Brentwood)
- Kennedy High (Richmond)
- Las Lomas High (Walnut Creek)
- Miramonte High (Orinda)
- Monte Vista High (Danville)
- Richmond High (Richmond).
*Richmond High and Kennedy High students will form a hybrid team.
Schedule for 2021 Contra Costa County High School Mock Trials:
- Preliminaries: January 26, 28; February 2, 4 – 5:00-8:00 p.m. (Eight competitions each night)
- Quarterfinals: February 9, 5:00-8:00 p.m. (Four competitions)
- Semifinals: February 11, 5:00-8:00 p.m. (Two competitions)
- Final and Consolation: February 16, 5:00-8:00 p.m. (Two competitions)
Interested volunteers can learn more by visiting the CCCOE’s Mock Trial volunteer web page, or contacting Jonathan Lance at (925) 942-3429.
The two highest-scoring teams will advance to the finals, held on Tuesday, February 16, 2021. The finals winning team will then represent Contra Costa County at the California State Mock Trial competition, tentatively scheduled to be held in Los Angeles on March 18-22, 2021. The California state winning team will then compete in the National Mock Trial Competition, tentatively scheduled to be held May 13-15 in Evansville, Indiana.
2 comments
Sounds interesting and like a lot of fun! Would be great if it was offered to/or more schools in lower income brackets participated. Most of these high schools are in very very wealthy areas and/or private.
Unfortunately it’s all by design.
The lower income districts will be the defendants, while the more affluent will be the lawyer/ ruling class.
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