The 43rd Annual Riverside County Mock Trial ended Tuesday, Feb. 18, with a victory — for the 21st time — for Riverside’s Poly High School.

The team, which portrayed the prosecution, defeated Riverside’s Notre Dame High School in the culmination of a month-long countywide competition in front of a federal judge at the Riverside Historic Courthouse in downtown.

RELATED: Students argue it out in Riverside County mock trials

It was a rematch of last year’s final round, when Poly also bested the private Catholic school.

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Poly students pose for a photo after winning on their 21st mock trial championship at the final round of the 43rd Annual Riverside County Mock Trial competition at the Riverside Historic Courthouse. on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer)

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In mock trial, students from across Riverside County argued cases in front of real judges, while being scored by practicing attorneys. Students filled courtroom roles such as attorneys, witnesses, clerks and bailiffs.

This year’s fictional trial, People v. Gold, was a kidnapping case. The prosecution focused on ligature marks, a positive drug test, motive, matching tire marks and incriminating statements from Logan Gold to build its case.

However, the defense argued that prosecutors could not use Gold’s involuntary statements because they could  be considered self-incriminating — and a violation of Gold’s Fifth Amendment rights.


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