Preparing For A Mock Trial Once students have a basic understanding of trials and courtroom procedures, consider the following steps for preparation:
A. Distribute Mock Trial Materials Distribute the mock trial case materials to the students. Discuss the facts and the relevant laws as a class. Teachers may develop the fact patterns and witness statements themselves, have students create them, or use pre-provided materials. B. Tailor the Trial to the Students' Level Match the complexity of the trial to your students' abilities. If they are new to mock trials, start with a simpler case. The goal of a mock trial is not to perfectly replicate a real trial, but to create a learning experience. Much like learning an instrument, students can begin with basic exercises and work their way up to more intricate and dramatic cases. C. Assign Roles and Create Task Groups Select students to take on roles such as attorneys and witnesses. Then divide the class into groups to help each witness and attorney prepare for trial. A case can involve the entire class, with at least two students as witnesses and twelve acting as the jury. This distribution can engage about two dozen students. Additional students can serve as the bailiff, court reporter, judge, or alternates for participants who may be absent. Some students could also act as media reporters, creating reports based on the trial and presenting them afterward as articles or editorials. Students will work in their assigned groups for one or more class periods, with guidance from the teacher or an attorney or law student. Jurors may research the role of the jury, the historical development of juries, and other relevant topics to enhance their understanding. Attorneys will create questions for direct examination, practicing with their witnesses. Witnesses should become thoroughly familiar with their witness statements to avoid inconsistencies that could be used to impeach their testimony. During direct examination, questions should not be leading (i.e., the answer should not be implied). However, leading questions are allowed during cross-examination to challenge the witness's credibility. While some attorneys focus on direct examination, others should plan how they will cross-examine opposing witnesses. The purpose of cross-examination is to weaken the credibility of the other side's witnesses, using leading questions (often requiring only a "yes" or "no" answer). It's often wise to ask fewer questions during cross-examination, as this limits the opportunity for the witness to strengthen their case.
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