outreach and community involvement. benefits preparation material selection conducting trial ...
TRANSCRIPT
Mock Trials Outreach and Community Involvement
Benefits
Preparation
Material Selection
Conducting Trial
Debriefing
Session Overview
Community outreach◦ Courts role in the community◦ Agency partnerships◦ Public involvement◦ Proactive contact
Educational opportunity◦ Court processes◦ Roll of Juror◦ Understanding consequences
Benefits of Mock Trials
Partnership with school◦ Juvenile case management◦ Champion the U.S. Judicial system◦ Develop positive attitudes towards your court
Student exposure◦ Future involvement as parties, witnesses or jurors in trials◦ Exposure to law-related careers◦ Develop Skills:
Critical analysis of problems Strategic thinking Questioning & Listening skills Oral presentation & Extemporaneous argument Preparing & Organizing material
Benefits of Mock Trials
Outline critical educational points (goals)◦ Develop questions for Debrief
Court personnel involvement: ◦ Judicial◦ Prosecutor’s office◦ Clerk staff◦ Law enforcement
Contact local schools/agencies ◦ Elementary through High School◦ Counselors, teachers, principals, etc.◦ Useful in classes such as: Government, History,
Debate, Criminal Justice ◦ Establish point of contact and coordination
Where to begin…
Know your participants & audience◦ Use age appropriate interesting cases◦ Select Type of Mock trial appropriate for group
Know your time frame◦ For preparing & implementing
4 Major Types◦ Fully-scripted w/ court staff ◦ Fully-scripted w/ students◦ Role Play w/ court personnel as themselves◦ Role Play w/ students as attorneys
Mock Trial Types
Court staff plays all roles/ students are the jury
Appropriate for:◦ Younger students◦ Court staff involvement◦ Quick turnaround time◦ Schools interested in field trips
Downfall:◦ Lower involvement level
Unscripted Jury Directed verdict
Fully Scripted w/ Court Staff
Students read script and fill all major roles Appropriate for:
◦ Middle School thru High School Grade Level◦ Limited staff involvement◦ Limited preparation time
Student volunteers necessary More student involvement Unscripted Jury Directed verdict
Fully Scripted w/ Students as Players
Unscripted◦ Use a case summary of facts ◦ Provide reports & statements
For older students
Role Assignment:◦ Students: defendant, witnesses, officers & jurors◦ Staff: judge, attorneys, bailiff, clerk
Requires more preparation
Role Play w/ Court Personnel
Students have more freedom with their characters and their responses
Benefits:◦ Students are more involved ◦ Trial is more realistic◦ Authenticity because professionals in own roles
Role Play w/ Court Personnel continued…
Appropriate for:◦ High School age students◦ Schools with debate programs◦ Availability for time commitment
Benefit:◦ Best learning experience for those involved◦ Judge controls flow of event
Role Play w/ Students as Attorneys
Preparation:◦ Case selection & story development◦ Schedule attorney meetings with student
participants Types of questions to ask Prepare & present opening/closing statements Witness prep Reviews court proceedings, legal terms, what needs
to be proved and simple objections
Role Play w/ Students as Attorneys
Create your case◦ Can choose an interesting case from your own
court◦ Look Online
Can find Case Summaries & Scripted Mock Trials TMCEC website has both types available http://19thcircuitcourt.state.il.us/services/pages/moc
k_trials.aspx
Trial Resources
Jury summons◦ Secure a list of students that will be attending◦ Prepare summons for jury duty to be given to all
students in attendance
Subpoena’s for witnesses & officers
Provides a sense of reality to the mock trial
Prepare all relevant documents
Preparing for Mock Trial
Separate actors from potential jurors ◦ Review last minute details with players in trial
Explain jury selection process◦ Randomize and seat students as you would a jury◦ Explain the process of jury selection
Summons Challenge to the array Voir dire Premptive challenges
Jury Selection: Attorneys select jurors◦ Select 2 juries if possible
Day of Mock Trial…
Conduct trial Limit interruptions Time Management Note Observations for debrief
◦ At end of trial, Separate the two juries for deliberation.
While jury deliberates, discuss trial with audience
Day of Mock Trial…
Debrief:◦ Focus learning on goals◦ Allows for questions◦ Identify & expand on teachable moments
Debriefing process:◦ Review the issues◦ Discuss what can happen during deliberation◦ Discuss strengths and weaknesses of both sides◦ Does our system assure a fair trial?◦ Are some parts of the trial more important than
others?◦ Would you trust a jury to determine your fate
Day of Mock Trial…
Practice ◦ Trial Type◦ Presentation
Activity
Susie GarciaCourt [email protected]
Lindsey MenaJuvenile Case [email protected]
San Marcos Municipal Court of Record
630 East Hopkins StSan Marcos, TX 78666
(512) 393-8190