The San Diego Superior Court’s North County Courthouse will host 600 students for Youth in Court Day on Friday, March 7, to talk about issues children and teens encounter today and their legal consequences. 

Youth in Court Day kicks off with morning mock trial sessions tailored for an estimated 300 elementary and middle school students. 

Almost 300 high school students are scheduled to hear from Judge Joan Weber, Tony Hicks, Azim Khamisa, and Tasreen Khamisa. Over 30 years ago, a 20-year-old San Diego State University student, Tariq Khamisa, was shot and killed while he delivered a pizza. Tony Hicks, then a 14-year-old gang recruit, pled guilty to the murder in adult court and was sentenced to 25 years-to-life. After the sentencing Tariq’s father, Azim Khamisa, and Tony’s grandfather, Ples Felix, joined together to form the Tariq Khamisa Foundation (TKF), an organization dedicated to keeping young people out of gangs. Tony was paroled in 2019 and now speaks in support of TKF. Tariq’s father and sister will join Tony and the judge who presided over the impactful case to discuss how TKF is a vital organization in our community.

Following the Tariq Khamisa Foundation presentation, high school students will have an option to attend one of the following mock trial or information sessions:

Dating violence - students will observe a mock trial scenario using a recent high-profile case. Students will observe a victim of domestic violence testify on the stand, and they will learn the complexities of testifying against a significant other. 

Sex trafficking - students will learn about the dangers of human trafficking, the prevalence of human trafficking among San Diego’s teenage population, how to recognize the signs of human trafficking, and take action against it.

Social media bullying - students will learn firsthand how our criminal justice system works by participating in a mock trial of a case involving bullying and social media posts about a fellow student’s sexual orientation. Students will take on the roles of the prosecutor, defense attorney, witnesses, and jury.

Stories from Drug Court - students will hear firsthand from drug court participants who have been through the criminal justice system and who are now on the long and tough road towards recovery.

Teen dating abuse red flags - students will learn to recognize the red flags of control, intimidation, and abuse at all stages of a relationship. Students will also receive tips and resources to help themselves or a friend who may be in an abusive relationship.

The event is sponsored by the North County Division of the San Diego Superior Court in conjunction with the North County Bar Association.