Stanislaus high schools' mock trials competition starts Tuesday

High school students from Modesto, Denair and Turlock will have their days in court.

High School Mock Trials will commence at 5:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Thursday and Jan. 31 at the Stanislaus County Courthouse, 800 11th St.

The awards ceremony will follow the last trial round on Jan. 31 at the Petersen Event Center, 720 12th St. in Modesto.

The annual event is sponsored by the Stanislaus County Office of Education, Gianelli & Associates and the Education Foundation of Stanislaus County in conjunction with the Constitutional Rights Foundation.

Working in teams, students study a hypothetical case, conduct legal research and receive guidance from volunteer attorneys.

Each trial is conducted by a Superior Court judge, and the teams are scored by attorneys practicing in Stanislaus County.

This year’s fictitious case, People v. Buschell, is the trial of Ryan Buschell, charged with murder and violating the California concealed carry statute.