Oakmont High School Wins Mock Trial Competition
Feb 04, 2026 03:59PM ● By Placer County Office of Education News Release
Oakmont High School students participated in the 2026 Placer County Mock Trial Competition, bringing home a first place win. Photo courtesy of PCOE
ROCKLIN, CA (MPG) - Oakmont High School from the Roseville Joint Union High School District has been named the winner of the 2026 Placer County Mock Trial Competition, which engaged more than 120 students from six Placer County high schools in an immersive, courtroom-based learning experience.
Hosted by the Placer County Superior Court and organized by Judge Melissa Begley, the Placer County Mock Trial Competition provides students with real-world courtroom experiences that strengthen legal understanding, communication skills and civic awareness. Students assume roles ranging from attorneys and witnesses to clerks and bailiffs and present their cases before a presiding judge and scoring judges.
Participating schools included: Del Oro High School from the Placer Union High School District, Oakmont and West Park High Schools from the Roseville Joint Union High School District, Rocklin and Whitney High Schools from the Rocklin Unified School District, and John Adams Academy.
“Mock Trial showcases the incredible professionalism of our students,” said Placer County Superintendent of Schools Gayle Garbolino-Mojica. “This meaningful experience challenges students to think critically, collaborate effectively and apply their learning in an authentic setting -skills that will serve them well far beyond the courtroom.”
Each year, students work with a newly developed hypothetical criminal case that explores timely issues facing America’s youth while deepening their understanding of the rule of law and the judicial system. Competition materials include case law summaries, witness statements, exhibits, simplified rules of evidence and lesson plans focused on the central issues of the case.
The Oakmont High School team, led by teacher coach Michaela Morrison and attorney coach Sarah McGinnis, demonstrated teamwork, goal setting and critical thinking throughout the competition. Special recognition was also given to Oakmont students Sami Jabbarnia, Payton Henry and Kate McGinnis for their four-year commitment to Mock Trial.
As Placer County champions, Oakmont High School will advance to the state mock trial competition, taking place March 20–22 in Oakland.
ROCKLIN, CA (MPG) - Oakmont High School from the Roseville Joint Union High School District has been named the winner of the 2026 Placer County Mock Trial Competition, which engaged more than 120 students from six Placer County high schools in an immersive, courtroom-based learning experience.
Hosted by the Placer County Superior Court and organized by Judge Melissa Begley, the Placer County Mock Trial Competition provides students with real-world courtroom experiences that strengthen legal understanding, communication skills and civic awareness. Students assume roles ranging from attorneys and witnesses to clerks and bailiffs and present their cases before a presiding judge and scoring judges.
Participating schools included: Del Oro High School from the Placer Union High School District, Oakmont and West Park High Schools from the Roseville Joint Union High School District, Rocklin and Whitney High Schools from the Rocklin Unified School District, and John Adams Academy.
“Mock Trial showcases the incredible professionalism of our students,” said Placer County Superintendent of Schools Gayle Garbolino-Mojica. “This meaningful experience challenges students to think critically, collaborate effectively and apply their learning in an authentic setting -skills that will serve them well far beyond the courtroom.”
Each year, students work with a newly developed hypothetical criminal case that explores timely issues facing America’s youth while deepening their understanding of the rule of law and the judicial system. Competition materials include case law summaries, witness statements, exhibits, simplified rules of evidence and lesson plans focused on the central issues of the case.
The Oakmont High School team, led by teacher coach Michaela Morrison and attorney coach Sarah McGinnis, demonstrated teamwork, goal setting and critical thinking throughout the competition. Special recognition was also given to Oakmont students Sami Jabbarnia, Payton Henry and Kate McGinnis for their four-year commitment to Mock Trial.
As Placer County champions, Oakmont High School will advance to the state mock trial competition, taking place March 20–22 in Oakland.
