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Mock Trials

Mock Trials . Outreach and Community Involvement. Session Overview. Benefits Preparation Material Selection Conducting Trial Debriefing. Benefits of Mock Trials. Community outreach Courts role in the community Agency partnerships Public involvement Proactive contact

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Mock Trials

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  1. Mock Trials Outreach and Community Involvement

  2. Session Overview • Benefits • Preparation • Material Selection • Conducting Trial • Debriefing

  3. Benefits of Mock Trials • Community outreach • Courts role in the community • Agency partnerships • Public involvement • Proactive contact • Educational opportunity • Court processes • Roll of Juror • Understanding consequences

  4. 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

  5. Where to begin… • 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

  6. Mock Trial Types • 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

  7. Fully Scripted w/ Court Staff • 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

  8. Fully Scripted w/ Students as Players • 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

  9. Role Play w/ Court Personnel • 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

  10. Role Play w/ Court Personnel continued… • 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

  11. Role Play w/ Students as Attorneys • 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

  12. 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

  13. Trial Resources • 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/mock_trials.aspx

  14. Preparing for Mock Trial • 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

  15. Day of 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

  16. 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

  17. 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

  18. Activity • Practice • Trial Type • Presentation

  19. San Marcos Municipal Court of Record 630 East Hopkins St San Marcos, TX 78666 (512) 393-8190 Susie Garcia Court Administrator Sugarcia@sanmarcostx.gov Lindsey Mena Juvenile Case Coordinator Lmena@sanmarcostx.gov

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