Americans are very good at volunteering to help others.\u00a0 There is no shortage of this virtue among lawyers and legal professionals, as seen in legal aid societies and pro bono programs.<\/p>\n

I began coaching a high school mock trial team in Santa Clara County as part of the statewide competition last year. \u00a0This involved teaching how to develop a case theme, cross-examination a witness and make a closing argument. \u00a0It also involved teaching a few life skills, like how to polish shoes and tie a tie. \u00a0Yes, my team wore matching bow ties for the young men and scarves for the young women (Thank you Beau Ties Ltd of Vermont<\/a>).<\/p>\n

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The Constitutional Rights Foundation<\/a> organizes the program where high school students compete in a fictional criminal trial based on relevant legal issues to youth. Local counties organize and host competitions for their high school districts that determine who advance to the next round of competition. \u00a0The students learn the basics of how a trial works, rules of evidence, witness examination, opening statements and closing arguments.<\/p>\n