Mock Trial

Mock Trial

Mock Trial is an innovative, engaging and often life-changing civic education program that combines performance-based, law related education with tournament-style, academic competition. High school students, working in teams under the guidance of volunteer attorney coaches and teachers, analyze the facts of a hypothetical criminal court case, prepare trial strategy and enact every role in the trial proceedings, as members of either the prosecution or defense. It places high school students in a simulated courtroom setting where they assume the roles of lawyers and witnesses in a hypothetical case. As part of the program, area lawyers volunteer to serve as coaches and scorers for the competition and Superior Court Judges and Commissioners preside over the mock trials. The winning team goes on to represent Orange County at the California Mock Trial Finals.

If you are interested in starting a Mock Trial team at your high school, you are encouraged to review the “Frequently Asked Questions” and contact the Program Manager on the Constitutional Rights Foundation website at https://www.crfoc.org/programs/mock-trial/