Student teams from local high schools had their day in court. The annual Stanislaus County Mock Trials was virtual this year due to COVID-19. Virtual trials, via Zoom, took place on Jan. 26, Feb. 2, 9, and 11. The top two teams competed in the Championship Round on Feb. 18.
Ten Stanislaus County high schools participated: Beyer, Davis, Downey, Enochs, Gregori, Hughson, Johansen, Modesto, Patterson and Turlock.
Turlock High School and Enochs High School advanced to the Championship Round, with Turlock winning and will represent Stanislaus County at the virtual State Mock Trial in March. Turlock High Mock Trial competitors include: Fanney Bjargardottir Ainslie Coughran, Matthew Haynam, Nathaniel Haynam, Katerina Koopman, Anthony Martinez, Sean McMillan, Katharine Ogden, Maya Parreira, Lilyan Poquette, Vivian Poquette, Gabrielle Price, Elias Rabine, Katy Reyes, Lia Romeo, Stella Romeo, Anna Sammuli and Keean Young.
Other results include:
- Inn of Court Spirit of Mock Trial Scholarship winner: Skyler Logan, Gregori High School
- Ryan Dickerson Award for Excellence & Leadership: Josh Corgiat, Beyer High School
- Hall of Fame Coach Award: Johanna Elms, Downey High School
Sponsored by the Stanislaus County Office of Education (SCOE) and the Education Foundation of Stanislaus County, the annual High School Mock Trials competition provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate acquired listening, speaking, reading and reasoning skills. Working on teams, students study a hypothetical case, conduct legal research, and receive guidance from volunteer attorneys. Students gain a working knowledge of the judicial system as well as an understanding of the link between the United States Constitution and the substance of the law. Superior Court Judges conduct each trail, with the teams scored by law professionals.
This year’s fictitious case, People v. Croddy, was a burglary, aiding and abetting, and accessory after the fact trial featuring a pretrial argument on the Fifth Amendment.
