Constitutional Rights Foundation Orange County

Mock Trial combines law-related education with tournament style competition. Using a simulated criminal court case, students explore current and complex legal, social and constitutional issues. Each year, student teams from over 40 local high schools prepare to enact every role in a trial with the guidance of attorney and teacher coaches. The teams meet at the Central Justice Center for eight rounds of competition. Superior Court, California Appellate and Federal Court judges preside at the trials and attorneys observe and rate the performance of student teams in a variety of categories. More than 1,000 students and hundreds of volunteers from the legal and education communities participate in the program. Students also have the opportunity to compete in courtroom art and journalism contests.

Educators noted on a Mock Trial survey that 86% of their students showed significant improvement in reading, writing and oral presentation skills. Mock Trial also provided students with a hands-on experience from which they could learn about the law and society. Parents and educators, along with the legal and business communities, have all affirmed that the after-school programs provided by CRF-OC are invaluable to our youth and community.

If you are interested in starting a Mock Trial Team at your High School please take a look at our Frequently Asked Mock Trial Questions and contact Wendy Townsend at 714.259.1521 x102 or wtownsend@crfoc.org.

Volunteer

Judges - participate in one or more rounds of competition, presiding over the trial and rating the performance of students in a variety of categories. Click here to register

Attorney Scorekeepers - participate in one or more rounds of competition, observing the trial and rating the performance of students in a variety of categories. Click here to register

Attorney Coaches - assist teachers and help students plan the strategy for their case, advise them on points of law and instruct them in courtroom procedures. Click here to register

Courtroom Monitors - assist CRF-OC staff with school and volunteer check-in. Monitor a group of courtrooms, handing out and collecting score sheets at the end of the competition. Click here to register

Competition Forms and Information:

STUDENTS:

» Parent Student Agreement Form

» Art Contest Rules and Registration

» Journalism Contest Rules and Registration

COACHES & SCHOOLS:

» Teacher Sponsor Agreement

» Invoice

» School Registration

» Ethics

» Frequently Asked Questions

» First Year Coaching Suggestions and Tips

COMPETITION FORMS:

» Defense Team Roster

» Prosecution Team Roster

» Time Sheet

» Adult Award Nomination

» Errata

» Rule Book

» Case Brief

VOLUNTEER ATTORNEY SCOREKEEPERS & JUDGES:

» Scoring Tips #1

» Scoring Tips #2

» Judges Script

» Judge/Attorney Handbook

ROUND ASSIGNMENTS AND COMPETITION RESULTS:

» 2008-2009 Mock Trial Schedule
» 2008-2009 Mock Trial Awards Luncheon

» 2007-2008 Competition

» 2007-2008 Journalism Contest Winner

» 2007-2008 Courtroom Artist Winner

» 2007-2008 Mock Trial Awards Luncheon Photos

For Information on the California State Mock Trial Competition and other Mock Trial Resources, please visit the Constitutional Rights Foundation's website www.crf-usa.org.

For Information on the National Mock Trial Competition, click here

Click here to sponsor or donate to the Mock Trial Competition