Welcome to the 2012-13 season of the San Diego County Mock Trial Competition Program. For those of you who are new to the program, the California Mock Trial Program is a statewide academic competition in which high school students compete at the county, state and national level.
This year, participation is expected to include over 500 students in San Diego County and over 8,000 students statewide. The trial itself is a simulation of a criminal case, in which students portray each of the principals in the cast of courtroom characters. Student teams study a hypothetical case, conduct legal research, and receive guidance from volunteer attorneys in courtroom procedures and trial preparation. Students participate as lawyers, witnesses, court clerks, and bailiffs, thus acquiring a working knowledge of our judicial system. The Mock Trial Competition Program encourages young people to develop their analytical abilities and communication skills while gaining increased self-confidence.
The Mock Trial Competition program also allows students to develop the skills necessary for the mastery of state standards for history, social science and language arts. Through performance-based education, the program furthers an understanding of both the content and processes of our legal system; increases basic skills, analytical ability, and self-confidence; and promotes cooperation among students of various cultures and interests. Based on responses to formal surveys, teacher-sponsors report significant improvement in students’ basic skills, critical thinking skills, presentations skills, participation skills, and self-esteem as well as increases in students’ content knowledge about the law.
We hope you will consider participating in this year’s Mock Trial Competition program. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Michelle Chavez at the San Diego County Bar Association at 619-321-4150 or via e-mail at mchavez@sdcba.org. Teachers or School Administrators interested in registering for the 2012-13 competition please complete this registration form.
The dates for the competition rounds are:
First Round: Tuesday, February 26, 2013 @ 5:30 p.m
Second Round: Thursday, February 28, 2013 @ 5:30 p.m.
Third Round: Saturday, March 2, 2013 @ 9:00 a.m.
Championship Round: Saturday, March 2, 2013 @ 1:00 p.m.
Dates and Location: San Diego County Downtown Courthouse
220 W. Broadway
San Diego, CA 92101
The local champion will proceed to the state competition which will be held on March 22-24 (tentative) in Riverside, CA.
|
