Riverside School Takes Top Spot in Mock Trials Contest

RIVERSIDE, CA - A group of Riverside high school students bested teams from 29 other schools to finish first in the 33rd annual Riverside County Mock Trial Competition, it was announced Monday.

Poly High School edged out Murrieta Valley High School, which came in second, in the final round of the weekend contest and will go on to represent the county at the California Mock Trial Competition in Sacramento, slated for March 18.

Poly's victory was its 16th in 30 years. Last year's championship team, Hemet High School, did not make it into the finals.

The semi-finals and finals played out at the Riverside Historic Courthouse, where students argued People vs Hayes, a fictitious homicide case in which a college student is charged with killing a campus security guard. The defendant claimed justifiable homicide. Students were tasked with defending or prosecuting Hayes.

Practicing attorneys and judges assessed students' performance and awarded points in accordance with criteria established for the competition, sponsored by the county Office of Education, the Constitutional Rights Foundation, the Riverside County Bar Association and the Superior Court.

More than 500 students participated.

Student teams consisted of 8-25 youths playing the parts of deputy district attorneys, defense attorneys, bailiffs, witnesses, clerks and investigators.

Riverside's King High School finished third in the competition, which began on Feb. 10 and was held over several weeknights and weekends.

(Image courtesy of Office of the Riverside County Superintendent of Schools)