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It’s Mock Trial Fun Time!

It’s Mock Trial Fun Time!. What are we going to do?. We are going to take your GINORMOUS packet and reenact a courtroom trial. There will be attorneys and witnesses It will be a bench trial (I am the judge) Attorneys will have the opportunity to object!. What is this case about?.

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It’s Mock Trial Fun Time!

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  1. It’s Mock Trial Fun Time!

  2. What are we going to do?

  3. We are going to take your GINORMOUS packet and reenact a courtroom trial. • There will be attorneys and witnesses • It will be a bench trial (I am the judge) • Attorneys will have the opportunity to object!

  4. What is this case about? State of Arizona V Parker Plunkett

  5. A train conductor plowed into a car that was speeding away from the police (trying to beat the train). One passenger was killed. The train conductor was texting.

  6. What are the two sides? Prosecution Defense

  7. Prosecution (the State) • Prosecution has the burden of proof • They need to prove Parker Plunkett guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

  8. What do they need to prove? • Parker Plunkett is guilty of: • 1. Manslaughter • 2. Negligent Homicide • 3. Aggravated Assault • 4. Endangerment

  9. Who are the Prosecution’s 3 witnesses? • 1. Billie Jean Dugan • 2. Detective AmariLassard • 3. T.J. Hollenbeck, PhD

  10. Billie Jean Dugan • He was the one driving the car, fleeing from the police

  11. Detective AmariLassard • Police officer who investigated the accident • S/he was the one who arrested Dugan • Investigated Plunkett’s texting history

  12. T.J. Hollenbeck, PH.D. • Expert witness • Director of the National Transportation Safety Group of America • Provides research statistics on safety issues and distracted driving • Compares texting and driving to driving under the influence

  13. Defense • The defense does not have the burden of proof. • The defense needs to poke holes in the prosecution’s case

  14. Who are the witnesses for the defense? • 1. Officer Andy Reddig • 2. P.T. Gonzalez • 3. Jules Hoffman, PhD

  15. Officer Andy Reddig • Officer that was chasing Billie Jean Dugan • Will testify to Dugan’s erratic driving • Arrived on the scene right after the accident

  16. P.T. Gonzalez • Teenager who was riding the light rail. • Will testify to Plunkett’s character • Will testify to what s/he saw of the accident that night • S/he is the only eye witness testifying

  17. Jules Hoffman, Ph.D • S/he is an expert witness • Will testify as an accident reconstructionist • Will testify about the visibility, reaction time, and lack of seat belt use • S/he is trying to say that regardless of what Plunkett did, the accident could not have been avoided. • S/he will say that if Tara had been wearing her seatbelt, she would have not died

  18. You will be split into 2 teams • Prosecution/State • Plunkett is guilty • Defense • Dugan is responsible though he is not on trial

  19. Opening Statements • Both sides will give an opening statement • Write a 5 minute speech • Outline the story – what are the facts? What happened? • What is your side trying to prove? • What will your witnesses say? • Whoever does this role can use notes • It’s a safe role • Matter-of-fact/straight forward. Not much emotion is used

  20. Witnesses • Six of you will play the role of a witness • Witnesses act like the character they are playing • Roles have to be memorized • An attorney will ask you questions (you will help write those questions) • An attorney for the other side will cross-examine you • They will try to pick apart your testimony • This is a great role for those who like to act. A person needs to be able to be convincing and to think on your feet

  21. Direct Attorney • This is considered a friendly attorney • You get your witness to tell the story • You ask open-ended questions (What happened? Please explain…) • Avoid yes/no questions • A person wants to be well-versed, but you can use notes • You have state objections/respond to objections • You have to be able to help out your witness if they get stuck

  22. C-X (cross) Attorney • Considered a hostile attorney • You question a witness on the other side • You pick apart their testimony; you try to make them look bad • You ask yes/no questions – Isn’t it true? You did that, correct? • Never ask an open-ended question • You want to be well-versed, but can use notes • Really need to be able to think on your feet • Can have a bit of an attitude • Need to use and respond to objections • Probably the most challenging, but fun role

  23. Closing Statement • Each side will give a closing statement • The speech will be about 5 minutes long • Attorney can use notes, but needs to be well-versed • A closing statement will be a recap of what happened during the trial • What did your witnesses prove? • Point out weaknesses in the other side. • What do you want the judge (me) to rule?

  24. Stu’s favorite courtroom moments • You Can't Handle The Truth – YouTube • Time to Kill - Closing Arguement - YouTube

  25. Why Stu is so intense about this part of the trimester…..

  26. What happens if you waste my or your classmates’ time?

  27. Hints for the MT quiz on Monday • Need to know which witnesses are for Pros/Defense • General info about the witness statements • Who was the passenger • Who is the defendant • What kind of car • Texting increases the likelihood of a crash by _________% • Texting is like a BAC of ___________ • How many text messages did Plunkett receive • Be able to identify weaknesses of the witnesses’ statements • 26 questions -- formative

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