ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE HONORED FOR VOLUNTEER EFFORTS IN THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS FOUNDATION MOCK TRIAL PROGRAM

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE HONORED FOR VOLUNTEER EFFORTS IN THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS FOUNDATION MOCK TRIAL PROGRAM

Santa Ana— Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas and his staff will be recognized Friday, February 4th by the Constitutional Rights Foundation of Orange County for outstanding volunteer service in the local high school mock trial competition. The luncheon will start at 12 PM at the Hilton Hotel, 3050 Bristol Street, in Costa Mesa. The Mock Trial program combines law-related education with a team competition.  Each fall, more than 40 local high schools compete to decide which school is the best. The winner then moves on to the state competition.

For several years, deputy district attorneys have been donating their time to help teach high school students how to prepare and present a criminal case at trial. The teams are taught how to present an opening statement, conduct direct and cross-examination, and the art of a closing statement. Volunteers from the Orange County District Attorney’s Office not only coach the participants, but also keep score of the matches, work as advisors, and play the role of judge in the case.

“This is a wonderful way for young adults to be introduced to the criminal justice system,” said District Attorney Tony Rackauckas. “I am proud to know that so many people in this office are taking time out of their busy lives to help educate our young people about how prosecutors, defense attorneys and judges interact, and how the legal system works in Orange County.”

The subject for the 2004-2005 Orange County Mock Trial was a fictional case of reckless driving that resulted in the death of another motorist.  Woodbridge High School in Irvine was the winning team.

“We are very pleased with the support our organization receives each year from the district attorney’s office,” said Anne B. Nutt Executive Director of the Constitutional Rights Foundation of Orange County. “We appreciate the efforts of District Attorney Rackauckas and his staff for supporting not only the Mock Trial program, but many of our other programs here in Orange County.”

The Constitutional Rights Foundation of Orange County is a non-profit organization. Established in 1981, the organization empowers local youth to become active, responsible citizens.  Each year, over 10,000 young people and volunteers from Orange County’s various communities participate in the foundation’s programs, which include Peer Court, Mock Trial, a Business Issues Conference and Law Day Conference.

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