2023 Contra Costa Mock Trial Results

California High School Wins Sixth Consecutive Contra Costa County Mock Trial Title
Posted on 02/16/2023
Mock TrialPLEASANT HILL, CALIF. – For the sixth consecutive year, California High School has won the Contra Costa County Mock Trials championship, the Contra Costa County Office of Education (CCCOE) announced at an awards ceremony on Thursday evening.

California High School, led by Coach Brian Barr, defeated Campolindo High in the final trial that took place on Monday, February 13, 2023, at the A.F. Bray Courthouse in Martinez. This trial was Campolindo’s first appearance in the championship trial. California High will now represent the county at the California Mock Trial Finals in March. The final trial was presided over by Superior Court Judge Jennifer Lee and scored by a panel of four attorneys.

Acalanes High School placed third after defeating De La Salle High School in the consolation trial.

“The finals trials were so exciting to watch. I was impressed by the preparation of the students as I watched the schools face off in the courtroom,” Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools Lynn Mackey said. “Mock Trial is a partnership between education, the court system, and the community. This program would not be possible without support from the Superior Court and the amazing legal professionals and community members who volunteered their time. Meeting attorneys that participated in the Contra Costa County Mock Trial program in high school inspires us all to keep this program going.”

Hosted by CCCOE, the 42nd annual Mock Trial competition took place in-person after being virtual for two consecutive seasons due to COVID-19 concerns. Eighteen schools from across Contra Costa County and more than 140 judges, local attorneys, and volunteers signed up to preside over or score trials or serve as courtroom coordinators.

The team and individual award winners were announced on Thursday evening at the Mock Trial awards ceremony. Rojan Haghnegahdar from California High School won the courtroom journalist contest, and Brooke Estey from Las Lomas High School won the courtroom artist competition. To read the first-place article and view the winning drawing, visit the Mock Trial page on the CCCOE website.

In the quarterfinals, California defeated Monte Vista, Acalanes beat Miramonte, Campolindo won over Deer Valley and De La Salle eliminated Alhambra.

In the semifinals, California defeated De La Salle and Campolindo beat out Deer Valley. In the finals, California beat Campolindo in a close trial.

Carondelet High School, Clayton Valley High School, DeAnza High School, Dougherty Valley High School, El Cerrito High School, Hercules High School, Heritage High School, Las Lomas High School, Richmond High School, and San Ramon High School also participated in the Mock Trial competition.

Each team works with teachers and/or attorney coaches to prepare their version of the criminal case, both from the prosecution and defense perspective. Students assume the roles of trial attorneys, pretrial motion attorneys, witnesses, clerks, and bailiffs. Through these role-playing techniques, students learn about the content and processes of law in an exciting and vibrant way. By studying the case and preparing strategies and arguments for trial, students also increase their public speaking skills, analytical abilities, and team cooperation. This year’s competition featured People v. Franks; the trial of Jordan Franks, a young actor in the Shakespeare-adaptation Macbeth at Sea on a cruise ship who is charged with robbery and battery of a fellow actor.

The Mock Trial program is sponsored by the Constitutional Rights Foundation, which hosts the California state competition.

TEAM FINISHES
1st – California High School (San Ramon Valley Unified School District)
2nd – Campolindo High School (Acalanes Union High School District)
3rd – Acalanes High School (Acalanes Union High School District)
4th – De La Salle High School (Concord, CA)

OUTSTANDING COURTROOM ARTIST
1st – Brooke Estey, Las Lomas High School (Acalanes Union High School District)
2nd – Saide Poole, Acalanes High School (Acalanes Union High School District)
3rd – Ashley Mei, Hercules High School (West Contra Costa Unified School District)

OUSTANDING COURTROOM JOURNALIST
1st – Rojan Haghnegahdar, California High School (San Ramon Valley Unified School District)
2nd – Casey Scheiner, Acalanes High School (Acalanes Union High School District)
3rd – Shivani Phadnis, California High School (San Ramon Valley Unified School District)

For photos or video of Mock Trial, please contact [email protected].

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About Contra Costa County Office of Education
One of 58 counties in California, Contra Costa County has the 9th largest public-school student population in the state (approximately 158,401 students). Officially established in 1932, the 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 also provides support services to schools and school districts in Contra Costa County; services that can be handled most effectively and economically on a regional basis rather than by each of the county's 285 schools or 18 school districts. These services range from budget approval and fiscal support to technology infrastructure, communication support, and high-level professional development opportunities for educators. CCCOE maintains a website at www.cocoschools.org.
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