December 7, 1999

Attorneys Sought for Mock Trial Competition

Ten teams from nine public and private high schools throughout Santa Barbara County will compete in the 19th annual Mock Trial competition February 19 and 26 at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse.

Attorneys wishing to volunteer as scorers and judges and commissioners of the Superior Court wishing to preside over a trial should contact Josefina Martinez in Judge Ochoa’s chambers at 568-3160.

The Mock Trial competition is designed to provide an educational experience for high school students regarding key concepts of the law, the Constitution and our legal system.

Participating schools this year are Carpinteria High School, Cate School, Dos Pueblos High School, Laguna Blanca School, Lompoc High School, Santa Barbara High School, Santa Ynez High School, St. Joseph High School, and two teams from San Marcos High School.

The competition is sponsored by the Santa Barbara County Education Office (SBCEO) and the Constitutional Rights Foundation.

Superior Court Judge Frank Ochoa, who has been involved with the Mock Trial competition for 15 years, is coordinating the efforts of the judges and lawyers who will serve as scorers for the competition.

All ten teams will present both prosecution and defense of People v. Rose, which deals with issues of poisoning, assault with a deadly weapon and search and seizure. Pretrial arguments will feature the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution.

Last year, Cate School won the county competition and placed fourth in the state finals, earning two awards.