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GENERAL COMPETITION INFORMATION | TEAM INFORMATION | COUNTY COORDINATOR INFORMATION

Team Registration | Student Registration | State Finals Checklist | Behavior Rules | Things to Remember | Entry Fee | Forms
Legislators Letter | Fundraising Packet | Adult Advocate of the Year Award

Courtroom Art Contest  | Courtroom Journalist Contest

Congratulations and welcome to the 29th Annual California Mock Trial Finals. The Mock Trial Program is sponsored by Constitutional Rights Foundation, a non-profit, non-partisan educational foundation that has developed law and business-related educational programs in Los Angeles for over 46 years. The program is co-sponsored by the California Bar Foundation, Daily Journal Corporation, The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation, and Lisa Sardegna and David Carrillo. Special thanks to the Santa Clara County Bar Association, Santa Clara County Superior Court, and the Santa Clara County Office of Education.

 Additional Sponsors

Hon. Read Ambler/JAMS, Santa Clara County Law Advocates, McCrane Greenfield, LLP
Katherine Gallo, Esq., Santa Clara County Government Attorneys Association, Law Offices of Scott Storey
Charles Roe and Patti Green Roe, Law Offices of Walter Hammon, Ella Gayle Hamlin Foundation, Farmers Insurance Co.
Haynes & Boone, LLP, Deputy Sheriff’s Association of Santa Clara County, The Mountain Winery Foundation

From March 19 through March 21, you and your students will be very busy with trials and other activities. Please impress upon your students the importance of cooperation, consideration and courtesy while they enjoy their stay in San Jose. As ambassadors both for your county and for CRF, your students will be making lasting impressions wherever they go–let’s be sure that they are positive ones! It is recommended that every ten students be accompanied by one adult who will be responsible for the team’s participation and supervision. It is imperative that these adults be responsible and prepared to handle supervision of their students AT ALL TIMES. Additionally, we expect that your team members will act with the utmost integrity, exhibiting honorable qualities of fairness and good sportsmanship throughout all phases of the competition.

This year, team’s will register for the state competition online. Please review all the information regarding the California Mock Trial Finals with your students and complete the following steps:

Step One:  Only teachers should register the school. All winning teams will need to complete Team Registration and the Student Registration section. If your county is sending a courtroom artist or journalist, they must complete the Student Registration section on our web site. If the winning school and students have already registered as a 2009-2010 mock trial participant on CRF's website, they will not need to register again. 

Step Two: Review Team Information, General Competition Information, and State Finals Checklist

Step Three: Reserve hotel by beginning February 23 directly with the Fairmont Hotel, (408) 998-1900. Reservations must be made by March 2.

Step Four: Return Parental Permission Slips and Team Entry Fee Form to CRF by March 4.

Step Five:Bring copies of the following forms to each trial: Observer, Time Sheet, Award Nomination, Clerk and Bailiff Notes, Case Packet and California Mock Trial Competition Team Rulebook

NOTE: Parental permission slips do not replace school permission forms and should be used in addition to whatever is required by your school. Please return all necessary forms promptly. A $25.00 late fee will be assessed for all forms received after March 4. Forms should be returned to: CRF, Mock Trial Program, 601 South Kingsley Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90005, Fax: (213) 386-0459

BEHAVIOR RULES

Please read and discuss the following rules and suggestions with your team.

RULES FOR STUDENT BEHAVIOR:

Adherence to the rules of student behavior will ensure that the competition run as smoothly as possible and that everyone has a good time. Any 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 Team Entry Fee Form. Complete the fee form CAREFULLY. If you have any questions, please call Carlos Ramos 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 2010 California Mock Trial certificate, and admission to the student social and the dance. The $75.00 registration fee is mandatory for every student on your county’s official Roster (this includes regular team members, alternates, artist, and journalist). A $25.00 late fee will be assessed for all forms received after March 4.

Waiving of Fees

For every judge or attorney volunteer that your team brings to San Jose, the fees for one participant will be waived. These legal volunteers must participate in at least three rounds each to make your county eligible for a fee waiver. While there is no maximum number of volunteers from your county that may participate, we are only able to waive up to three fees ($225.00 maximum).

National High School Mock Trials

$5.00 of each of the $75.00 fees will help defray the costs of the county representing California at the National High School Mock Trial Championship. The championship will be held this year in Philadelphia, PA, May 6-8, 2010.

FORMS

Please bring the following to each trial:

A copy of the case
Observer
Time Sheet
Award Nomination (four copies per trial)
Clerk and Bailiff Notes
California Mock Trial Competition Team Rulebook

LEGISLATORS

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 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 money you to participate in the Mock Trial Program. Many students have used the tips included in the packet with great success. 

MOCK TRIAL ADULT ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR AWARD

Any adult who meets the requirements below and who has demonstrated exemplary dedication and commitment to the youth of California through participation in CRF’s Mock Trial Program, may be nominated for the Mock Trial Adult Advocate of the Year Award. Each nominee must have (1) a minimum of 5 years of mock trial involvement, (2) demonstration of a capacity to inspire learning and to motivate, and (3) has a history of emphasizing good sportsmanship and citizenship skills.

After reviewing all nominations, CRF will select the winner. The winner will receive a plaque and will be recognized at Awards Ceremony on Sunday, March 21. All nomination forms should include at least three letters of recommendation from parents, students, faculty, attorneys, judges, or anyone else involved in the Mock Trial Program. The deadline for submitting a nomination is March 4. Please submit the Adult Advocate nomination form to: Constitutional Rights Foundation, Mock Trial Program, 601 South Kingsley Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90005 or by e.mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .