SBCSS News and Press Releases

Semifinalists Of County Mock Trial Competition Announced

2012-12-05

SAN BERNARDINO - After four rounds of competition, the first round of semifinals for the 30th annual San Bernardino County Mock Trial competition will be held at the San Bernardino Civic Courthouse this evening. The four top high schools from San Bernardino County will challenge for spots in the finals on Dec. 8.

In the semifinals, the Academy for Academic Excellence will be the defense team with Redlands High School's Blue team as the prosecution in one courtroom. In the second semifinal, Cajon will be the prosecution with Redlands East Valley representing the defense. The first day of the semifinal round will begin at 5 this evening at the San Bernardino Civic Courthouse, which is located at 303 W. Third St. in San Bernardino.

The second round of the semifinals will take place on Dec. 6 at 5 p.m., also at the San Bernardino Civic Courthouse. The winners from each of the semifinals will compete in the county finals on Dec. 8 at the Foothill Law and Justice Center in Rancho Cucamonga.

Last year, Redlands and Redlands East Valley made the finals, with Redlands going on to win the championship.

Close to 500 high school students representing 29 high schools have participated in the Mock Trial competition this year. The event is co-sponsored by the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools and the San Bernardino County District Attorney. The Mock Trial competition is a simulation of a criminal court case where high school students portray the principal courtroom characters on both sides of a case before a real judge and two attorneys.

The public is invited to attend the semifinal rounds of the competition, but there is limited seating. The winner of the county competition will advance to the state finals on March 22-24 in Riverside.