The Santa Clara County Bar Association, which coordinates the mock trial program, assigned seven sheriff's deputies--two at the overtime rate of $52 an hour--to oversee last month's competition, more than double the number of deputies on hand in 2004. Security costs rose from $5,700 last year to $9,000 this year.

Angela Storey, an attorney who coordinated the mock trial competition, said deputies patrolled not only the two floors of the Santa Clara County Superior Courthouse used by students but also the four vacant floors remaining.

"This increase in costs is not only ridiculous and unnecessary, it is not something we can afford next year," Storey said.

Deputy Terrance Helm said the empty floors had to be patrolled to prevent security breaches.

"There have been problems in the past with vandalism," Helm added. "There was evidence that paperwork was tampered with and some equipment was broken."

Only two deputies were assigned to the mock trial when these incidents occurred, Helm said, adding that the culprits could have snuck into the courthouse during the competition.

"We don't want to say it was the students," said the deputy.

Storey said only very minor incidents have been directly linked to mock trial participants.

"The kids go into the courthouse and stay there," she added. "Last year the only complaint was that pencils and chairs had been moved."

Although deputies had to render first aid to a competitor who fainted, Helm said this year's mock trial was without any major incidents.

"Everything went smoothly," he added. "We were asked by the program coordinators to keep as low a profile as possible so the students wouldn't be intimidated."

The California Mock Trial program was introduced in 1980 by the Los Angeles­based Constitutional Rights Foundation, which each year develops a case based on an issue of importance to American youth. More than 8,000 high school students--including teams from Pioneer and Leland high schools--participate in the program, acting as prosecutors, defense attorneys and witnesses in the case.

Each mock trial team paid $50 per student to participate in this year's competition. Paul Glasser, a history teacher who has coached Pioneer's team for four years, said these fees have risen as security costs have increased. Despite the added expense, Glasser said, the county's program is in no danger of termination.

"[The threat of] impending doom has been around for a number of years and nothing's ever happened," he added.

Deputy Helm pointed out that the Superior Court and the California State Bar Association each donated $3,000 to defray mock-trial security costs.

"The Deputy Sheriff's Association would have given the other $3,000 if [Storey had] asked," Helm said, adding that some deputies would be willing to donate their time to the competition but are legally barred from doing so. "Some deputies adjusted their schedules so it wouldn't be overtime. They wanted to help out the program. We're firm believers in it as well."

Storey said she plans to meet with sheriff's deputies and the presiding judge early in next year's planning process to work out potential conflicts.

"We'll be able to do more fundraising," she added.