Now in 42^nd year, more than 15,000 students have participated in Riverside County Mock Trial courtroom competition

RIVERSIDE – The murder of a chief executive and the revelation of a plot to commit corporate fraud, represent the basis for the fictional trial, People vs. Clark, which Riverside County students from 22 high schools will adjudicate throughout January and February at the 42^nd Annual Riverside County Mock Trial competition organized by the Riverside County Office of Education.

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 14,000 students who have participated in Mock Trial now in its 42^nd 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.

The fictional case materials provide the facts and legal background for this year's trial, People v. Clark. Sunshine Medical Components (SMC) Chief Executive Officer, Kieran Sunshine, was found murdered in a hotel room with apparent stab wounds from a small saber used to open champagne bottles. A plot to commit fraud against the SMC board of directors surfaced, and the prosecution believes this was a motive for the murder. However, multiple executives at SMC—both of whom are family members of the deceased chief executive—may also have had motive or involvement. A review of the forensic evidence, collection techniques, and the legality of technology-focused warrants, will contribute to the fictitious trial.

The opening rounds will take place on Thursday, January 25, in three locations across Riverside County (first team listed is prosecution, second team is defense):

Desert – Larson Justice Center, 46-200 Oasis Street, Indio

• La Quinta HS vs. Palm Desert HS
• Palo Verde HS vs. Indio HS

Riverside – Robert Presley Hall of Justice, 4100 Main Street, Riverside

• Patriot HS vs. Martin Luther King HS
• Valley View HS vs. John W. North HS
• Santiago HS vs. Heritage HS
• Notre Dame HS vs. Riverside Poly HS

Southwest – Southwest Justice Center, 30755-D Auld Road, Murrieta

• Hemet HS vs. Great Oak HS
• Liberty HS vs. Murrieta Valley HS
• Temecula Valley HS vs. San Jacinto HS
• Paloma Valley HS vs. Santa Rosa Academy
• Chaparral HS vs. Ramona HS

After multiple rounds of competition, the awards ceremony will take place at 3 p.m. on Saturday, February 10, at the Riverside County Office of Education Conference Center (4280 Brockton Avenue, Riverside).

The final competition will be held on Thursday, February 22, at 6 p.m. at the Riverside Historic Courthouse (4050 Main Street, Riverside).

The winner of the Riverside County Mock Trial will represent the region at the California Mock Trial Competition March 22-24 in Los Angeles. The state winner will advance to the National Mock Trial that will be held May 2-5 in Wilmington, Delaware.

In the 2023 Riverside County Mock Trial finals, Murrieta Valley High School defeated Martin Luther King High School to secure the championship for the first time in school history. Third place was shared by Notre Dame High School and Hemet High School.

For a complete listing of the schedules and locations for all rounds of the competition, visit the Mock Trial web page. 

Riverside County Mock Trial Historical Results: