Hosted by the Placer County Superior Court and organized by Judge Melissa Begley, the Placer County Mock Trial Competition provides students with real-world courtroom experiences that strengthen legal understanding, communication skills and civic awareness. Students assume roles ranging from attorneys and witnesses to clerks and bailiffs and present their cases before a presiding judge and scoring judges.
Each year, students work with a newly developed hypothetical criminal case that explores timely issues facing America’s youth while deepening their understanding of the rule of law and the judicial system. Competition materials include case law summaries, witness statements, exhibits, simplified rules of evidence and lesson plans focused on the central issues of the case.
Oakmont High School, Roseville Joint Union High School District
In February 2026, Oakmont High School from the Roseville Joint Union High School District earned top marks at the 2026 Placer County Mock Trial Competition, which engaged more than 120 students from six Placer County high schools in an immersive, courtroom-based learning experience. See the Facebook photo album.
The Oakmont High School team, led by teacher coach Michaela Morrison and attorney coach Sarah McGinnis, demonstrated teamwork, goal setting and critical thinking throughout the competition. Special recognition was also given to Oakmont students Sami Jabbarnia, Payton Henry and Kate McGinnis for their four-year commitment to Mock Trial.
