Mock Trial combines law-related education with tournament style competition. Using a simulated criminal court case, students explore current and complex legal, social and constitutional issues. Each year, student teams from over 40 local high schools prepare to enact every role in a trial with the guidance of attorney and teacher coaches. The teams meet at the Central Justice Center for eight rounds of competition. Superior Court, California Appellate and Federal Court judges preside at the trials and attorneys observe and rate the performance of student teams in a variety of categories. More than 1,000 students and hundreds of volunteers from the legal and education communities participate in the program. Students also have the opportunity to compete in courtroom art and journalism contests.

Educators noted on a Mock Trial survey that 86% of their students showed significant improvement in reading, writing and oral presentation skills. Mock Trial also provided students with a hands-on experience from which they could learn about the law and society. Parents and educators, along with the legal and business communities, have all affirmed that the after-school programs provided by CRF-OC are invaluable to our youth and community.