Eleven teams from eight Santa Barbara County high schools already knocked two rounds of arguments off their mock trial competition docket, and four teams will tackle the set on March 1 at the county courthouse.
The competition is designed to provide an educational experience for high-school students in key concepts of the law, Constitution, and American legal system. Students prepare their cases with the help of teacher advisors and attorneys who volunteer as coaches.
Cabrillo, Carpinteria, Dos Pueblos, Laguna Blanca, Pioneer Valley, San Marcos, Santa Barbara, and Santa Ynez Valley high schools participated this year.
A total of 11 teams began presenting both prosecution and defense arguments in People v. Concha on Feb. 22. The case presents issues of second-degree murder and possession for sale of a controlled substance. The Constitutional Rights Foundation developed the case for this year’s statewide competition. Pretrial discussion centered on the Fourth Amendment issue of protection against unlawful search and seizure.
Superior Court Judge Brian E. Hill, who’s been involved with the competition for 10 years, is coordinating the efforts of judges and lawyers who volunteer to serve as scorers and presiding judges hearing the case.
The four teams left after the first rounds of competition will battle through semi-final and final arguments on March 1. The local winner will represent the county at the state mock trial competition March 21 through 23 in San Jose. The state winner will compete in the national championship.
For more information, contact Susan Salcido, Santa Barbara County deputy superintendent of schools, at 964-4710, Ext. 5435, or ssalcido@sbceo.org.
This article appears in Feb 27 – Mar 6, 2014.