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 AdministratorSugarcia@sanmarcostx.gov

Lindsey MenaJuvenile Case CoordinatorLmena@sanmarcostx.gov

San Marcos Municipal Court of Record

630 East Hopkins StSan Marcos, TX 78666

(512) 393-8190