3 local high schools set to faceoff in 44th year of Contra Costa County Mock Trial program
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Jan. 18, 2025) — The 44th Annual Contra Costa County Mock Trial Program will begin on Tuesday, Jan. 28. 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.
College Park, Carondelet and Clayton Valley Charter each have a team in the competition.
“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. A practicing or retired judge, commissioner, or seasoned attorney will preside over the trials. With volunteer spots still available, legal professionals can join our program.
Understanding the judicial process
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. Subsequently, 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.
Other participating Contra Costa County high schools include Acalanes (Lafayette), Alhambra (Martinez), Athenian (Danville), California (San Ramon), Campolindo (Moraga), De Anza (Richmond), Deer Valley (Antioch), Dougherty Valley (San Ramon), El Cerrito (El Cerrito), Hercules (Hercules), Heritage (Brentwood), Las Lomas (Walnut Creek), Miramonte (Orinda), Monte Vista (Danville), Richmond (Richmond) and San Ramon Valley (San Ramon).
Schedule for 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)
The California Mock Trial Program currently involves more than 36 counties and over 8,000 student participants.
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 our 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 provides support services to schools and school districts in Contra Costa County. Also, it provides 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. In addition, this includes high-level professional development opportunities for educators. CCCOE maintains a website at www.cocoschools.org.