A Redlands High School team has again captured the county’s mock trial crown.
Team Blue won the San Bernardino County Mock Trial on Saturday, Jan. 25, emerging from a field of 23 teams to claim victory at the San Bernardino Justice Center.
It was the second year in a row that the the school’s blue team earned the county title — and the 17th time a Redlands High team won the contest.
The 17-member Team Blue defeated crosstown rival Redlands East Valley High School, which finished in second place. The Redlands High team will now head to state competition in March.
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More than 425 San Bernardino County students from 20 high schools participated in this year’s event.
In mock trial, high school students argue a fictional case in front of real judges and are scored by practicing attorneys. This year’s case, People v. Gold, is a kidnapping case that involves evidence of ligature marks, a positive drug test, matching tire marks and incriminating statements. Students studied legal issues to play roles that included attorneys, witnesses, defendants, bailiffs and clerks. Legal professionals who volunteered their time coached them.
The competition is organized by the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools and the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office.
“We hope opportunities such as this competition deepen students’ understanding of their civic responsibilities and inspire them to become actively engaged in society,” San Bernardino County Superintendent Ted Alejandre said in a news release.
In neighboring Riverside County, the mock trial got underway last week.
Competition began Tuesday, Jan. 21, and will end Tuesday, Feb. 18, with the final round at the Riverside Historic Courthouse in downtown Riverside. It will be the county’s 43rd contest.
County winners will vie in the California Mock Trial Competition, from March 14 through March 16 in Los Angeles. The victor will advance to the National Mock Trial from May 8 to May 10 in Phoenix.
Last year’s champion in Riverside County is Riverside’s Poly High School, which won for the 20th time.
