The FVHS Mock Trial Team is a highly competitive and prestigious academic, extra-curricular activity.  Applications for the team are closed for the 2009-2010 academic year at.  Applications for the 2010-2011 academic year will be accepted in the Spring of 2010 from FVHS students enrolled in grades 9 -11 and from 8th grade students who will be attending FVHS the following year.

The Orange County Mock Trial competitions are scheduled for November and December, at the Orange County Courthouse in Santa Ana, California.  The program is supported by the generous volunteer efforts of the local bar with Superior Court Judges, and occasionally Appellate Court Justices, presiding over the trials and local attorneys serving as scorers and coaches.  Additionally, teachers from each school, serving as coaches and/or advisors, contribute considerable time and effort in support of this program.  Selection for the team requires good speaking and analytical skills.  Participation on the team requires a significant time commitment, especially from December through February.

History of the Mock Trial Program:
In 1980, Constitutional Rights Foundation (CRF) introduced the Mock Trial program to help students acquire a working knowledge of our judicial system, develop analytical abilities and communication skills, and gain an understanding of their obligations and responsibilities as participating members of our society. The program currently involves 36 California counties and actively engages over 8,000 student-participants across the state.  The winners of the county competitions go on to the State Finals in March, and the winner of the state competition represents California at the annual National High School Mock Trial Competition in May.

Structure of the Mock Trial Program:
Each year, CRF creates and produces a new set of Mock Trial materials based on an important issue facing America's youth. The materials include a hypothetical criminal case including summaries of case law, witness statements, official exhibits, and simplified rules of evidence.

Teams of students prepare and present the trial from the perspectives of both the prosecution and the defense.  Each team is comprised of a maximum of 20 students (including alternates), and a typical team would be divided into 2 sides, Prosecution and Defense, as follows:

Advantages of Participation in the MockTrial Program:
With the assistance of a teacher coach and attorney coach the students learn to work in a team environment as they analyze the case materials, exchange ideas, and prepare strategies and arguments for trial.  Formal surveys of teachers report significant improvement in students' basic skills, critical thinking skills, presentations skills, participation skills, and self-esteem as well as increases in students' content knowledge about the law.  Top competitors receive awards and scholarships in recognition of their outstanding performances.