BCOE - Mock Trial

Mock Trial

The Butte County Mock Trial Program is a collaborative between Butte County Office of Education and the Butte County Superior Court. The Mock Trial Program provides students the working knowledge of legal institutions and the judicial system. Students research the case developed by Teach Democracy and prepare for trial competition. Presiding Judges, Prosecutors, Public Defenders, and Private Attorneys volunteer their expertise and time to provide guidance to teams competing and preside over and score the competition.

The Mock Trial competition simulates a trial-level proceeding in which students play roles of pretrial counsel, prosecuting and defense attorneys, witnesses, court clerks, and bailiffs before a single presiding judge and two to three scoring judges, who score individuals based off of thier legal arguments and presentations. Each year, unique cases are developed and presented to create powerful learning eperiences on the rule of law in our judicial system. Materials are based on important issues facing America's youth. Mock trial materials include a hypothetical criminal case (summaries of caselaw, witness statements, official exihibits, simplified rules of evidence, etc.) and lesson plans of the central issues in the case.

Quotes

"The most exciting part of Mock Trial was being in the courtroom and experiencing the competitiveness between our teams, as well as feeling all the emotions as if we were in a real trial. It was very exciting to see all our hard work pay off.”

– Lauren Loomba, Chico High Team Member 2026

"The most challenging thing was probably learning the in and outs for learning how to direct examin the witness as well as overcoming the anxiousness of needing to actually do a Mock Trial. I really enjoyed feeling “fearful”. I have never felt the way I did in the Mock Trial ever before. That was a brand new experience for me and I really enjoyed feeling that nervousness as funny as that sounds”

– Lowell Werblow III, Core Butte Charter Team Member 2026

"Mock Trial was such a fun opportunity to meet new people and gain knowledge about the world of justice and law”

– Amaya Grothe, Chico High Team Member 2025

"Whenever we have Mock Trials in real courtrooms in front of real judges and real people, my heart stops beating for a second. But then with one glance from the people I've surrounded myself for months, the people that I've fought and stressed out with...that one look is enough for my heart to start pumping out adrenaline to overcome any level of stage fright and insecurities."

-Kryzel Jhae Dequito, Las Plumas High Team Member 2019

"I have learned a plethora of skills from Mock Trial, but as captain of the team, I have learned how to be a strong leader. I have also learned how to think quickly on my feet."

-Kayln Peterson, Las Plumas High Team Captain 2024

“Mock Trial gave me an opportunity to debate, public speak and learn more about our nation’s justice syste. But most importantly, it taught me to look at both sides of the story and give everyone a fair and equal chance to prove themselves”

-Annalisa Pedrinazzi, Chico High Team Member 2025

“Mock Trial provides students with valuable and practical insight into the legal system, students learn how to work as part of a team, along with building their communication and critical thinking skills within a competitive environment."

-Erika Romo, Butte County Deputy District Attorney 2023

“I decided to do mock trial because I’ve always had an interest in our legal system and would love to become a constitutional lawyer someday. I learned more about specific legal processes as well as getting to learn about pretrial."

-Eliana Hinnenberg, Inspire School of Arts Team Captain 2023

“ I have been involved in Moot Court and Mock Trial competitions for almost 20 years now, particularly at the university level. It is nice to see young people stepping up because if you continue this, it gets more advanced so this is a great way to start.” -

--Matthew Bentley, Attorney Scorer 2025

2026-2027 Event details

September 2026: Coach Kick Off Meeting

September 12, 2026: Case Release (password required)

September 15, 2025: Intent to Participate Due (required to receive materials)

October 15, 2026: Team Registration Fees Due

December 16, 2026: Team Paperwork Due

January 2027: Butte County Mock Trial (date and location tba)

March 2027: California Mock Trial (date and location tba)

California Mock Trial Rulebook

Click Here for full case People v. Fromholz (Case available September 11, 2025 - password protected)