Stanislaus County Mock Trial

Mock Trial is an innovative and engaging civic education program that combines performance-based and law-related education for a tournament-style academic competition. High school students, working in teams under the guidance of teacher and attorney coaches, analyze the facts of a hypothetical criminal court case, prepare trial strategy, and enact every role in the trial proceedings. The teams present their cases in real courtrooms before sitting judges and are scored by volunteer attorneys. The Mock Trial program also includes courtroom art and journalism contests. The program builds self-confidence and develops important life skills, including critical thinking, analytical reasoning, effective communication, and teamwork. Students gain knowledge of the link between our constitution and the substance of the law as applied by our courts and legal system. Additionally, they are given the unique opportunity to interact one-on-one with positive adult role models, including prominent legal practitioners, and develop career awareness of the legal profession.

Congratulations to the Beyer High School Mock Trial team for winning the 2023 competition.

PLEASE NOTE REGARDING THE 2022-2023 MOCK TRIAL CHAMPIONSHIP: 

On February 27, SCOE’s Student Events Program staff discovered a scoring tabulation mistake on the semifinal trial round scores that negates the championship round results that occurred on Saturday, February 25. The Senior Program Director of the Constitutional Rights Foundation, who coordinates the State Mock Trial, was consulted, and stated that to get the true winner of Stanislaus County, we would need to hold another championship round with the actual winners from the Semifinals Round which was Beyer High School and Gregori High School based on scores given by attorney scorers. It is with the deepest apology to the students, parents, and staff of the Modesto, Beyer, and Gregori High School Mock Trial teams that this unfortunate situation occurred and that according to Stanislaus County Mock Trial 2022 – 2023 Rules of Competition, the Championship Round will include the top two teams from the Semifinals Round. The championship round is slated for Thursday, March 2, between Beyer High School and Gregori High School.

Dates & Locations

Coach Meeting: Tuesday, December 6, 2022, 4:00 PM

Event: February 2, 7, 9, & 16,  2023,  5:30 PM (Trials 1,2,3 & 4) 

Saturday, February 25, 2023 (Semifinals, Championship, and Awards)

COST: $450 per team ($350 donated by the Education Foundation of Stanislaus County)   Final Cost: $100

Event Information

• School Registration Form (Deadline: November 17, 2022)
• Stanislaus County Rules of Competition
• Team Rulebook
• Guidelines for Attorney Coaches
• Important Dates
• Clerk Time Sheet- Must have at each trial
• Clerk Time Cards - Must have at each trial
• Courtroom Diagram
• Clerk & Bailiff Notes
• Case Brief
• Exhibits  
• Mock Trial Webcasts
• Errata
• Lourdes [ahtsym] crf-usa [dhotsym] org (Submit Teacher/Attorney Coach Questions) - deadline December 9
• Summary of Teacher/Attorney Coach Questions
• Name Tents  
• Team Award Nomination Sheet

Mock Trial Forms - The following forms are due January 13, 2023

• Team Photo - email to lturner [ahtsym] stancoe [dhotsym] org (subject: Mock%20Trial%20Team%20Photo)
• Team List - email to lturner [ahtsym] stancoe [dhotsym] org (subject: Mock%20Trial%20Team%20List)
• Courtroom Observer Form - email to lturner [ahtsym] stancoe [dhotsym] org (subject: Mock%20Trial%20Team%20List)

Mock Trial Forms - The following forms are due February 2, 2023 - Trial I

• Teacher/School Agreement
• Student Permission & Code of Ethics Form
• Artist Roster & Release
• Journalist Roster & Release
• Team Roster Prosecution 
• Team Roster Defense 

Art/Journalism Contest Information

• Courtroom Artist Contest Flyer
• Courtroom Art Contest Rules and Criteria
• Courtroom Journalism Contest Flyer
• Courtroom Journalism Contest Rules and Criteria

Volunteer Information for Scoring Attorney & Presiding Judge 

• Volunteer Registration (must be of the legal profession)