Students from 24 schools around Sacramento traded their classrooms for the courtroom this month, stepping into roles as attorneys, witnesses, and bailiffs in the county’s annual mock trial competition. The program is held at the Sacramento County Superior Court and offers high school students an immersive experience in the courtroom, giving them a taste of real-world litigation.

Superior Court Judge Renuka George presided over one of the mock trials where students from Cosumnes Oaks High School led the prosecution, while Franklin High School students defended the accused. 

“All rise,” announced a Cosumnes Oaks High School student serving as bailiff, marking the start of the trial.

The courtroom drama unfolded with themes of kidnapping, election tampering, and law enforcement tactics taking center stage.

George asked incisive questions about the students’ case logic: “How did the tape recorder not being on constitute interrogation given Arizona v. Mauro?” 

“The deputy’s hands on hip posture could be seen as intimidation,” a Franklin High School student acting as the defense attorney countered.

Evan Kan, an attorney representing Franklin High School, shared how the program has solidified his career aspirations. 

“I want to be a lawyer because I want to help people,” he said.

The county’s mock trial program is bolstered by the support of real Superior Court judges, like George and Ken Mennemeier, who volunteer their time.

Mennemeier was impressed by the students’ performances, noting that some participants argued their cases with the skill of professional trial attorneys.

“The experience of being an advocate and involved in the process will help them determine whether they would like to pursue law as a career,” Mennemeier explained. “There’s a creative dimension to advocacy—finding the best argument for your client.”

Beyond the legal training, students emphasized the broader benefits of the program. Juliet Shah, Mackenzie Thomas, and Mary Ferrara from St. Francis High School reflected on how the competition fosters confidence, critical thinking, and public speaking skills.

“This is what a real case packet would look like if you were actually a lawyer,” said Shah. “You get to perform at the actual Sacramento County courthouse, which is amazing.”

“Finding justice for people who were wrongly convicted is what really interests me,” added Thomas. “Being able to figure out the facts of the case, piece them together, and form our arguments brings me the most joy.”

“It’s such a great experience to learn how to speak publicly, be confident, and how to be professional,” Ferrara noted. “It’s an experience that will help me in my career later on.”

The competition ended with Sacramento Country Day School taking first place, followed by Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep in second and St. Francis High School in third.

Craig Irish, who coordinates the student competition for the Sacramento County Office of Education, said the mock trial program is open to all public schools in the region. 

“It’s very popular,” he said. “We’ve had a large increase of schools that have come in the last few years and I think a lot of it is because kids can relate to it.”

He encourages all public schools in the region to apply for a team, and hopes that more students can benefit from the program in the coming year.