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COURTROOM ART CONTEST

GENERAL COMPETITION INFORMATION | TEAM INFORMATION | COUNTY COORDINATOR INFORMATION

Registration | Behavior Rules | Things to Remember | Entry Fee
Forms | Legislators Letter | Fundraising Packet

Congratulations on winning your County’s Courtroom Art Contest!

Here is a brief summary of the events at the State Finals in Riverside County. Please be prompt for all trials and meetings. Please print out a copy of the for the weekend and a map for specific locations.

Registration will be from 12:00 p.m.- 1:00 p.m. at the Fairmont Hotel, Regency Ballroom on Friday March 19. This is where you can receive your California Mock Trial T-shirt and your official entry information for your drawings. Remember that you attend the trial of your county mock trial team. The courtroom assignments for each trial are posted in the courthouse halls 15 minutes before each trial begins.

On Friday night, you are invited to join all of the Mock Trial students at the student social and pin exchange held at the Fairmont Hotel, Regency Ballroom from 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

On Saturday morning from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., there is a breakfast meeting for all artists. This meeting will give you a chance to meet other artists, learn about the courtroom art as a profession, and get feedback on your Round 1 drawing. This meeting will be held at the Fairmont Hotel, Pagoda Room.

The official courtroom artist round (Round 3) will begin at 1:00 p.m. IT’S MANDATORY THAT ALL ENTRIES MUST BE DONE IN COLOR AND BE ON 11”X14 PAPER. If you will be using charcoal pencils, please use some type of spray sealer to reduce smudging. This change is for state finals only, and has been done per the request of the professional courtroom artist who conducts the artist seminar and selects the winning entries. Please review the official Courtroom Artist Contest Rules prior to the event.

The dance on Saturday night will be held at the Fairmont Hotel, Regency Ballroomo from 8:30 p.m. -10:30 p.m. At about 10:00 p.m., the mock trial finalist will be announced. Again, CRF representatives will be there at all times.

At 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, the Championship Trial will be held at the Santa Clara County Superior Courthouse, 191 N. 1st St., San Jose, CA. You are welcome to attend this trial as a spectator.

Finally, the Awards Ceremony will be held at the Fairmont Hotel, Regency Ballroom from 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. At the ceremony, awards will be given to the top three courtroom artists. We urge all students to attend the Awards Ceremony.

We also encourage all courtroom artists to stay in the same hotel as the winning team. The official Mock Trial Hotel is the Fairmont Hotel. If you plan on staying at the Fairmont Hotel, please reserve your room by March 2 by contacting the Fairmont Hotel, 170 South Market St., San Jose, CA 95113, (408) 998-1900.

If you have any questions, please contact Sylvia at 213.316.2127.

To register for the state competition on our web site, please complete the following steps:

Step One:    Register as your county’s courtroom artist for State Finals by March 4.

Step Two: Review General Competition Information and Team Information

Step Three: Reserve hotel by March 2 at the Fairmont Hotel, 170 South Market St., San Jose, CA 95113, (408) 998-1900.

Step Four: Return Permission Slip and Artist Fee Form to CRF by March 4.

Step Five: Download the following documents: Agenda, Breakfast Meeting Agenda, and Courtroom Artist Contest Rules

BEHAVIOR RULES

RULES FOR STUDENT BEHAVIOR:

Adherence to rules will ensure that the finals run as smoothly as possible and that everyone has a good time. Infraction of the following rules may result in notification of parents and school, as well as immediate dismissal from the program.

1. Possession and/or use of alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs by students is forbidden.
2. Defacement of any facility is forbidden.
3. Students are expected to cooperate with staff and teachers at all times.
4. Appropriate attire is expected for all planned activities.
5. Each county must submit to CRF a signed CRF parent/guardian permission form for each student.
6. Curfew is 11:00 p.m. throughout the program unless otherwise stated by a CRF staff person. Students are to be in their own hotel rooms, quiet and respectful of sleeping hotel guests by this time.

THINGS TO REMEMBER:

• Competition rules and guidelines for behavior must be followed.
• Pack lightly, wear comfortable shoes and bring a sweater or jacket.
• Label belongings and luggage with name and address.
• Do not bring valuables or large amounts of money. Neither CRF nor your hotel is responsible for lost or stolen articles.
• Remember to eat regularly and drink plenty of water! The quality of your experience and performance is directly linked to your nutritional balance.

ENTRY FEES

In order to avoid confusion and save time, please read the following fee instructions closely and return payment with the Fee Form. Complete the attached fee form CAREFULLY. If you have any questions, please call April Water at (213) 316-2129.

Student Fees

Each student participating in the 2010 California Mock Trial Finals pays a fee of $75.00. This fee covers the cost of materials, facility rentals, one T-shirt per student, an official 2009 California Mock Trial certificate, and admission to the student social and the dance. The $75.00 registration fee is mandatory for all official county courtroom artists. A $25.00 late fee will be assessed for all forms received after March 4.

FORMS

Please review/complete the following forms:

Courtroom Artist Registration

Permission Slip

Artist Fee Form

Agenda

Breakfast Meeting Agenda

Courtroom Artist Contest Rules

LEGISLATORS

As mock trial funding depends heavily on the support of the state government and to ensure the continued success of the program, we urge each school/student to contact their state legislators with information about your county’s competition results. The fact that you are participating in the state finals is an accomplishment to be commended. How to Write a Letter to Your Legislator

FUNDRAISING PACKET

The fundraising packet includes tips to help you formulate ideas on how to raise the money you need to participate in the Mock Trial Program. Many students have used the tips included in the packet with great success.