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As like their fellow Mock Trial Teams throughout the nation, the teams presented the case: People v. Klein. Unlike previous years when the case has involved murder or mayhem, this year's trial centered on social media. A local college student was charged with posting a criminal threat online, and then texting a false report to police - also known as "swatting." "Swatting" is the action of calling the police with report of a fake emergency.
The Mock Trial Awards Ceremony was held Feb. 21 at the Contra Costa County Office of Education, in Pleasant Hill. After Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools Lynn Mackey and Contra Costa County Board of Education President Mike Maxwell welcomed the crowd, and remarks given by Contra Costa County Superior Court Presiding Judge Barry Baskin, the Mock Trial coaches presented individual awards to their exceptional-performing students.
This year's top four teams were ranked in this order: 1) California, 2) Alhambra, 3) Acalanes, 4) Campolindo. California High has now won back-to-back championships.
The honored guest speaker, Judge Barry Baskin, was on hand to address the large crowd with his accounts of this year's Mock Trials. "I can safely speak for a number of my fellow judges when I say, Mock Trials is our favorite time of the year. It is a delight to watch you all master the courtroom, and it's solely due to your dedication and hard work."
This year, approximately 75 Bay Area practicing and retired attorneys, senior law students and sworn judges volunteered their time to serve as Mock Trial Attorney Scorers and Judges. These volunteers represented judges from Bay Area Superior Courts, the California Bankruptcy Court, the California Supreme Court and the California Appellate Court. Attorney Scorers included Bay Area attorneys from county District Attorney and Public Defender offices, the State Attorney General's Office and the California Department of Justice. Also serving as attorney scorers were nonprofit, public, private and corporate attorneys. In addition, senior students from two Bay Area law schools also lent a hand in scoring.
For all the team and individual results, visit the Contra Costa County Office of Education's website and click on Mock Trial: www.cccoe.K12.ca.us.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA