RIVERSIDE – What triumphs over the other – the Fifth Amendment or justice? In the fictional kidnapping trial of People vs. Gold, students from 24 local high schools will take up this question along with the validity of forensic evidence, drug test results, and more, as they adjudicate the case in rounds of competition throughout January and February at the 43rd Annual Riverside County Mock Trial organized by the Riverside County Office of Education.
“Mock trial has a rich history in Riverside County with practicing attorneys, sitting judges, and current legal professionals who credit their experience with mock trial with instilling a passion for the law at an early age,” said Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edwin Gomez. “We look forward to seeing the future leaders of our justice system in action throughout the multiple rounds of competition in our county courtrooms.”
Mock Trial involves students arguing cases in front of real judges, while being scored by practicing attorneys. The competition is open to all students in grades 9 through 12 enrolled in public and private high schools in Riverside County. Teams consist of 8-25 students filling the courtroom roles of defense and prosecution attorneys, witnesses, clerks, and more.
Attorneys, judges, and legal professionals from across Riverside County are among the more than 14,000 students who have participated in Mock Trial now in its 43rd year of competition. The month-long competition is sponsored by Riverside County Superior Courts, the Riverside County Bar Association, and the Riverside County Office of Education.
This year’s fictional case materials provide the facts and legal background for this year's trial, People v. Gold. Taylor Alexander accused Logan Gold, husband to the woman competing against Alexander, of kidnapping her. The case centers around using evidence related to ligature marks, positive drug test, motive, matching tire marks, and incriminating statements from Gold to build a case. However, the defense argues that the prosecutors cannot use Gold’s involuntary statements because they could be considered self-incriminating—a violation of Gold’s Fifth Amendment.
The opening rounds of competition will start on Tuesday, January 21, in three locations across Riverside County (first team listed is prosecution, second team is defense):
Desert – Larson Justice Center, 46-200 Oasis Street, Indio
- Indio HS vs. Palm Desert HS
- Palo Verde HS vs. La Quinta HS
Riverside – Robert Presley Hall of Justice, 4100 Main Street, Riverside
- Vista del Lago HS vs. Santiago HS
- Centennial HS vs. Ramona HS
- Notre Dame HS vs. Heritage HS
- Valley View HS vs. John W. North HS
- Liberty HS vs. Martin Luther King HS
- Poly HS vs. Patriot HS
Southwest – Southwest Justice Center, 30755-D Auld Road, Murrieta
- Temecula Valley HS vs. Hemet HS
- Santa Rosa Academy vs. Paloma Valley HS
- Murrieta Valley HS vs. Chaparral HS
- San Jacinto HS vs. Great Oak HS
After multiple rounds of competition in Riverside, the awards ceremony will take place at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 8, at the Riverside County Office of Education Conference Center (4280 Brockton Avenue, Riverside).
The final competition will be held on Tuesday, February 18, at 6 p.m. at the Riverside Historic Courthouse (4050 Main Street, Riverside).
For a complete listing of the schedules and locations for all rounds of the competition, visit www.rcoe.us/student-events/mock-trial.
The winner of the Riverside County Mock Trial will represent the region at the California Mock Trial Competition March 14-16 in Los Angeles. The state winner will advance to the National Mock Trial that will be held May 8-10 in Phoenix, Arizona.
In the 2024 Riverside County Mock Trial finals, Poly High School defeated Notre Dame High School to secure the championship for the twentieth time in school history. Third place was shared by Martin Luther King High School and Chaparral High School.
Riverside County Mock Trial Historical Results:
- 2024 – Poly High School
- 2023 – Murrieta Valley High School
- 2022 – Notre Dame High School
- 2021 – Martin Luther King High School
- 2020 – Poly High School
- 2019 – Poly High School
- 2018 – Martin Luther King High School
- 2017 – Poly High School
- 2016 – Poly High School
- 2015 – Hemet High School
- 2014 – Poly High School
- 2013 – Poly High School
- 2012 – Poly High School
- 2011 – Poly High School
- 2010 – Woodcrest Christian High School
- 2009 – Poly High School
- 2008 – Temecula Valley High School
- 2007 – Martin Luther King High School
- 2006 – Woodcrest Christian High School
- 2005 – Poly High School
- 2004 – Poly High School
- 2003 – Poly High School
- 2002 – Poly High School
- 2001 – Arlington High School
- 2000 – John W. North High School
- 1999 – Woodcrest Christian High School
- 1998 – Temecula Valley High School
- 1997 – Corona High School
- 1996 – Poly High School
- 1995 – Norte Vista High School
- 1994 – Arlington High School**
- 1993 – Arlington High School
- 1992 – Poly High School
- 1991 – Poly High School
- 1990 – Poly High School
- 1989 – John W. North High School
- 1988 – Poly High School
- 1987 – Poly High School
- 1986 – John W. North High School
- 1985 – Ramona High School
- 1984 – Ramona High School
- 1983 – Perris High School
** Mock Trial National Champion
