More than two dozen local high schools will field 34 teams in the Ventura County Mock Trial competition, which begins Monday in Ventura. Courtroom drama comes to life as students take on the major roles of a criminal case, including attorneys, witnesses and even bailiffs. The students will present their cases before actual local judges who volunteer for the competition. Local attorneys serve as coaches.

WHAT: 2017 Ventura County Mock Trial

WHEN: The competition runs Monday, February 27 to Thursday, March 2. The Wednesday semi-finals and Thursday finals are open to the public and the media. Competition begins each evening at 5:00 pm and is expected to conclude by 11:00 pm.

• Monday, February 27 – Rounds 1 and 2

• Tuesday, February 28 – Rounds 3 and 4

• Wednesday, March 1 – Semi-finals – OPEN TO PUBLIC AND MEDIA

• Thursday, March 2 – Finals – OPEN TO PUBLIC AND MEDIA

WHERE: Ventura County Superior Court - 800 South Victoria Avenue, Ventura, California 93009

The Mock Trial awards ceremony will be held on Monday, March 6 at 6:00 pm at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center at 800 Hobson Way. The public is invited to attend and media coverage is welcomed.

About the 2017 Ventura County Mock Trial
The competition is coordinated annually by the Ventura County Office of Education. This year’s fictitious case, People v. Awbrey, is the trial of Cameron Awbrey, a restaurant owner, who is being charged with human trafficking and false imprisonment.

High schools participating this year are: Adolfo Camarillo, Agoura, Beacon Hill Classical Academy, Buena, Channel Islands, Fillmore, Grace Brethren, Hueneme, La Reina, Newbury Park, Newbury Park Adventist Academy, Oak Park, Oaks Christian, Oxnard, Pacifica, Rio Mesa, Saint Bonaventure, Santa Paula, Santa Susana, Simi Valley, St. Augustine Academy, Thousand Oaks, Trinity Pacific Christian School, Ventura, Villanova Preparatory School and Westlake.

The winner of the county competition will go on to the state mock trial contest March 24-26 in Riverside. Ventura County has taken first place at the state level in 2008, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

This year’s Ventura County Mock Trial logo artwork was created by 17-year-old Crismalid Lopez from Hueneme High School.

Additional information about the 2017 Ventura County Mock Trial is available at vcoe.org/mocktrial.

About the Ventura County Office of Education
The Ventura County Office of Education provides a broad array of fiscal, training and technology support services to local school districts, helping to maintain and improve lifelong educational opportunities for children, educators and community members. VCOE also operates schools that serve students with severe disabilities and behavioral issues, provides career education courses, and coordinates countywide academic competitions including Mock Trial and the Ventura County Science Fair. Learn more at: www.vcoe.org.