Journalist Contest Finals - Constitutional Rights Foundation

Journalist Contest Finals

JOURNALIST CONTEST

GENERAL COMPETITION INFORMATION | TEAM INFORMATION | COUNTY COORDINATOR INFORMATION

Congratulations on winning your County’s Courtroom Journalist Contest!

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

Registration will be from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. at the Sheraton Grand Hotel-Magnolia/Camellia, Friday, March 23. This is where you can receive your California Mock Trial T-shirt and your official entry information for your report. 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, 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., there is a dinners meeting for all journalists. This meeting will be held at the Sheraton Grand Hotel-Royal. During this meeting, you will interact with other courtroom journalists and learn tips on how to become a better reporter and writer from a professional journalist.

All entries must be based on what students witness at the State Finals and cannot be written prior to the event. All entries must be typed and turned in by 5:00 pm on Saturday, March 24 to CRF staff located in the Juror Assembly Room at the courthouse.

The dance on Saturday night will be held at the Sheraton Grand Hotel-Magnolia/Camellia from 8:00 p.m.–11:00 p.m. At about 10:30p.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 TBA. You are welcome to attend this trial as a spectator.

A professional journalist will judge all entries with first, second, and third place plaques will be awarded at the Awards Ceremony on March 26 from 1:00 p.m - 2:00 p.m. at the Sheraton Grand Hotel-Magnolia/Gardenia.

We also encourage all courtroom journalists to stay in the same hotel as the winning team. Please view the General Competition Information for hotel reservation information.

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

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

Step One: Register as your county’s courtroom journalist for State Finals by March 7.

Step Two: Review General Competition Information and Team Information

Step Three: Reserve hotel by March 14.

Please view the General Competition Information for hotel reservation information.

Step Four: Return Permission Slip and Courtroom Artist/Journalist Fee Form to CRF by March 7.

Step Five: Download the following documents: Agenda, Journalist Workshop Agenda, and Courtroom Journalist Contest Rules

BEHAVIOR RULES

RULES FOR STUDENT BEHAVIOR:

Adherence to the 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.

Possession and/or use of alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs by students is forbidden.
Defacement of any facility is forbidden.
Students are expected to cooperate with staff and teachers at all times.
Appropriate attire is expected for all planned activities.
Each county must submit to CRF a signed CRF parent/guardian permission form for each student.
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 Courtroom Artist/Journalist 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 2012 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 2012 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 journalists. A $25.00 late fee will be assessed for all forms received after March 7.

FORMS

Please review/complete the following forms:

Agenda

Journalist Workshop Agenda

Courtroom Journalist Registration

Permission Slip

Courtroom Artist/Journalist Fee Form

Courtroom Journalist Contest Rules

Reporter's Handbook

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.