Nipomo High School Mock Trial.
Mock Trial is an academic competition, conducted nationally by the Constitutional Rights Foundation and locally by the SLO County Mock Trial Committee and the SLO County Office of Education. Nipomo High School’s Mock Trial team is coached by local attorneys David Warren, Nancy Warren, and Jacquelyn Frederick, who volunteer their time and expertise to prepare the team for competition, and NHS Teacher Coach Donna Kandel. Students take on the roles of Pretrial, Defense, and Prosecution Attorneys, Witnesses, Bailiff, and Clerk. All competing teams receive the same case materials in the fall, study the facts and legal issues, and prepare their arguments and testimony. Each competing school prepares both a Defense and a Prosecution team. The competition is conducted in the SLO County Courthouse in front of a real judge. Students don’t simply memorize a script or series of speeches—they are challenged by the judge and opposing attorneys to effectively argue their case, justify their testimony, and adhere to the rules of the trial and the protocol of the court.
Meetings are held regularly beginning in the fall, and the team conducts scrimmages with other high school teams. The County competition is held in late January or early February; State competition for winning teams is held in March; National competition for State winners is held in May.
Purpose:
For Students:
1. Increase proficiency in basic sills (reading and speaking), critical thinking skills (analyzing and reasoning), and interpersonal skills (listening and cooperating).
2. Develop an understanding of the link between our Constitution, our courts, and our legal system.
3. Provide the opportunity for interaction with positive adult role models in the legal community.
For the School:
1. Provide an opportunity for students to study key legal concepts and issues.
2. Promote cooperation and healthy academic competition among students of varying abilities and interests.
3. Demonstrate the achievements of NHS students to the community.
4. Provide a hands-on experience outside the classroom from which students can learn about law, society, and themselves.