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USD School of Law Welcomes San Diego County High School Mock Trial Teams

University of San Diego (USD) School of Law welcomed four mock trial teams from high schools across San Diego county during the month of January, allowing teams to practice their legal skills in Grace Courtroom. Students are practicing to compete in the 2012-13 San Diego County Mock Trial Competition, which will be held February 26–March 2, 2013 at the San Diego Downtown Courthouse. 

In an email, Torrey Pines High School business teacher Jackie Niddrie expressed her gratitude, explaining that “…the team was very excited to get to practice in a real courtroom setting.”

The local competition is part of the California Mock Trial Program—a statewide academic competition in which high school students compete at the county, state and national levels.  The program attracts more than 500 students from San Diego County and 8,000 students statewide.  The winner of the San Diego competition will go on to compete in the state competition held in March 22–24, 2013 in Riverside, Calif.

USD School of Law students will volunteer their services at the competition by providing general courtroom management and bailiff duties.

In 1980, the Constitutional Rights Foundation (CRF) created mock trial program to help high school students acquire a working knowledge of the judicial system, develop analytical abilities and communication skills, and gain an understanding of their obligations and responsibilities as participating members of our society. The program has been implemented in 34 California counties including San Diego.

With the assistance of a teacher-sponsor and attorney coach, CRF’s mock trial program engages student-participants by studying the case and preparing strategies and arguments for trial. Students also develop presentation skills, analytic ability and team cooperation.

Event details and additional information about the program can be found on the San Diego County Mock Trial Competition website.