Over the past month, high school student attorneys raised some serious legal questions in court. Did officers violate a student’s First Amendment right to videotape police carrying out their duties during a public demonstration? Did authorities use excessive force?
After extensive deliberation, a panel of judges hearing a fictional case (Rouser v. City of Humdrum, et al.) ruled that the attorneys for Mira Loma High School (Team 2) made the most convincing arguments, choosing that team as the winner of the 2017 Gordon D. Schaber Sacramento County Moot Court competition. Bella Vista High School (Team 1) was awarded second place.
Third District Court of Appeal Presiding Justice Vance W. Raye, fellow Justice Ronald B. Robie, and Michael LeVangie from LeVangie Law Group presided over the final round.
2017 Sacramento County Moot Court Competition Results
- 1st Place: Mira Loma High School (Team 2) (San Juan Unified)
- 2nd Place: Mira Loma High School (Team 3) (San Juan Unified)
About the Competition
The Moot Court competition is an appellate-level proceeding in which high school students prepare and argue a case before a three-judge panel. Judges evaluate participants on the quality and persuasiveness of their legal reasoning and presentation, as well as their unscripted responses to spontaneous questions from the bench. The competition provides students the opportunity to learn about constitutional law and develop crucial public speaking and debate skills. A typical Moot Court team consists of three to six students.
The Moot Court competition is sponsored by the Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) in an effort to educate young people about the importance of civic participation in a democratic society. Past Moot Court champions are listed online. For additional information, email or phone Craig Irish: (916) 228-2660.