More than 400 students from 28 Riverside County schools are competing in the 27th Annual Riverside County Mock Trial, which began February 18 at regional courts in Indio, Murrieta and Riverside.

Mock Trial involves students arguing cases in front of real judges and scored by real attorneys. The case this year is People v. Lane, an arson case. The event is sponsored by the Riverside County Office of Education and Riverside County Bar Association.

Round One began February 18. Rounds Two and Three are February 21 and 25 at the Riverside Hall of Justice. Round Four is February 28 at the Riverside Hall of Justice with an awards ceremony followed by the announcement of the Elite Eight teams.

The Elite Eight Competition is March 4 at the Riverside Hall of Justice, and Semi-Finals are March 7, followed by the Championship Round and Final Awards Ceremony at the Riverside Historic Courthouse.

The winning team will compete March 20-22 at the California State Mock Trial Competition.

Please refer to the list of teams, and find more information on Mock Trial and all RCOE student events at www.rcoe.us/studentevents.

For information contact:
Rick Peoples, Public Information Officer
Telephone: (951) 826-6642
Fax: (951) 826-6199
rpeoples@rcoe.us