Mock trial program gives San Bernardino County students courtroom experience, shapes career plans

Students and a program representative involved with San Bernardino County’s mock trial program said the experience is giving high school participants courtroom skills and shaping future career plans.

Program staff and students described the program as a collaborative effort between the county superintendent’s office, school districts and the district attorney’s office that exposes students to judges and practicing attorneys and helps them build public‑speaking and teamwork skills.

“This is the future of our profession. And so when you come out here and you see how hard these students have worked, understand the concepts of the way it works in court, they're already getting a taste of whether they want to do this for the rest of their lives,” a program representative said. “And some of these folks continue on in either our office or the public defender's office. In each…