The Mock Trial is designed to clarify the workings of our legal institutions for students through first-hand experience.

Students in grades 9 to 12 portray each of the principals in the cast of courtroom characters. Student teams study a hypothetical case, conduct legal research, receive guidance from volunteer attorneys in courtroom procedure and trial preparation, and present their case before volunteer judges.

Each county office sponsors a local Mock Trial competition and declares a winning team from our high schools to compete in the State Finals in Sacramento. This is a unique opportunity for high school students to demonstrate their academic achievements in a challenging experience with the key concepts of law and courtroom drama.

The Mock Trial brings together students, teachers, and legal professionals from around the county to:

·         Instill in our youth a deeper understanding of citizenship through values expressed in our Constitution and its Bill of Rights

·         Educate young people to become active and responsible participants in our society.

·         Help students acquire a working knowledge of our judicial system.

·         Develop analytical abilities and communication skills.

·         Provide an understanding of the obligations and responsibilities required of our societies members.

·         Extend and reinforce the History and Social Science Content Standards for California Public Schools.

Mock Trial Participants

Each year approximately 500 Ventura County students, in grades 9-12, actively experience the excitement of working in teams, exchanging ideas, setting goals, and examining issues while interacting with positive role models from their communities.

The winning county team is then invited to the State Mock Trial to compete with their peers from across California where many of our past teams have then gone on to compete in the National Mock Trial.

Mock Trial Judges

Approximately 200 attorneys from throughout Ventura County volunteer their time to serve as judges for the Mock Trial.

Mock Trial Tradition

Since 1984 the Ventura County Office of Education has partnered with the Constitutional Rights Foundation (CRF) to provide the Mock Trial for our students. The goal of the Constitutional Rights Foundation is to "instill in our nation's youth a deeper understanding of citizenship through values expressed in our Constitution and its Bill of Rights and to educate young people to become active and responsible participants in our society.”

• During the 2006-2007 school year La Reina High School took 1^st place at the county competition and went on to place 3^rd at state. In addition, Agoura High School’s Courtroom Artist took 1^st at state and La Reina High School’s Courtroom Journalist took 2^nd at state.
• In 2007-2008 La Reina High School took 1^st place at the county competition, 1^st place at State, and was the first team to compete in Nationals from Ventura County where they placed 25^th. In addition, Agoura High School’s Courtroom Artist took 3^rd place at State.
• In 2008-2009 Newbury Park High School took 1^st place at the county competition upsetting La Reina High School’s long standing winning streak. Newbury Park then went on to place 7^th at State.