The Outsiders Trial:A Webquest

Law & Justice Classes (9-12)Woodstock High School

Cari Cain

Introduction

The Outsiders is a novel by S.E. Hinton about rival gangs the “Socs” and the “Greasers”. The two gangs have an ongoing battle and this will

eventually lead to the death of a member of one of the gangs. This WebQuest will guide Law &

Justice students through the different stages of a trial while reading different sections of the book.

Essential Question: Who are the essential participants in a mock trial?

Task

The class will be split into 4 groups and will read sections of the book as assigned by Ms. Cain. Each group will be assigned a different perspective of the case and develop opening arguments, witness lists for both sides, witness examinations, possible evidence, and closing arguments

The different perspectives include: A. The prosecution will argue that it was murder B. The defense will argue that it was not Johnny at all C. The defense will argue that Johnny’s situation is caused

by his environment/home life D. The defense will blame it on gang violence and show

what gangs do to the community

Process

1. You will be placed into 4 groups by Ms. Cain-group assignments are final.

2. You will read The Outsiders through chapter 5 and then view the fight/murder scene from the movie using the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=malncB0BXIw&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=active

3. Next, you will visit the following websites to gain a better understanding of the trial process and the different roles each person plays Elements of the crime of murder

http://criminaldefenseattorneys.vanwagnerwood.com/ Summary of the “Rules of Evidence” http://library.findlaw.com/2001/Jan/1/241488.html Tips for writing an opening statement

http://www.perno.com/law/docs/Opening%20Statement.htm Tips for writing a closing argument

http://www.perno.com/law/docs/Closing%20Argument.htm

Process

Direct examination of witnesses http://criminaldefense.homestead.com/Direct.html

Cross examination of witnesses http://criminaldefense.homestead.com/cross.html

Tips for closing arguments http://www.perno.com/law/docs/Closing%20Argument.htm

Trying juveniles as adults http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/juvenile/stats/

Death penalty for juveniles http://www.capitalpunishmentincontext.org/issues/juveniles

Process

4. As a group and from your assigned perspective you will complete the following for both sides-prosecution & defense and submit to your group page on the WebQuest site: 1. Opening argument 2. Witness lists 3. Witness examination questions 4. Evidence list 5. Closing argument

5. Your group will create a video of your “mock trial” using the documents you submitted to the WebQuest site. There will be a room reserved in the media center with a tripod and flip video camera for your group to use at their assigned time. These times will be assigned as we near the end of the project

6. Videos will be shown to the “jury”-which will be your classmates and they will determine Johnny’s fate

7. Finally, we will read the rest of the book as a class and each student will discuss in a 2 page paper which point of view you agree with and what verdict you think was just

Evaluation-GroupPoints Possible: 50

10 Points 5 Points 0 Points

Opening argument

Opening arguments from prosecution and defense provide a clear, strong statement of the attorney’s position

Opening arguments is present but does not make the attorney’s position clear OR only one side (prosecution or defense) is present

No opening arguments

Witness list & examination questions

All possible witnesses are listed and an extensive list of direct and cross examination questions relevant to the assigned point of view.

Incomplete list of witnesses and/or questions are present but not in-depth. Direct or cross examination questions are missing

No witness list or examination questions

Evidence list All possible evidence associated with the crime are listed for both sides

Evidence is listed, but not a complete and/or evidence from one side is missing

No evidence list

Closing argument

The closing argument is strong and leaves the jury with a solid understanding of the attorney’s defense

The closing argument is present, but not strong and does not leave the jury with a clear understanding of the attorney’s defense OR only one side (prosecution or defense) is present

No closing argument

Videos Video covers extensively each of the following: opening/closing argument, witness list and questions

Parts of the video are missing or are not covered completely

No videos

Evaluation-Student paperPoints Possible: 50

10 Points 5 Points 0 Points

Point of view support

You gave 3-4 reasons for supporting/not supporting your assigned point of view

You gave 1-2 reasons for supporting/not supporting your assigned point of view

You gave little or no reasons for supporting/not supporting your assigned point of view

Verdict You gave in-depth reasoning about your opinion of the verdict and 3-4 supporting ideas

You gave your opinion of the verdict but did not explain clearly and only gave 1-2 supporting ideas

You did not give your opinion of the verdict and had no supporting ideas

Format Your paper had an introduction, body, and conclusion

Your paper had a body and either an introduction or a conclusion

Your paper had only a body

Length Your paper was 2 pages long Your paper was 1 page long Your paper was less than 1 page long

Mechanics There are no grammatical or spelling errors in your paper

There are few grammatical or spelling errors in your paper

There are many grammatical or spelling errors in your paper

Group score and student paper score will be added for the final student score. Total possible points are: 100

Conclusion

Congratulations on a job well done! The trial is over and your verdict is in. There are several things that I hope you’ve gained from this experience: A new understanding of how the trial process works The responsibility of telling the truth and respect for the judicial system The idea that juvenile defendants must be treated with special care since

they have a better chance at turning their lives around after serving a sentence

An opinion concerning the death penalty for juveniles

-Research true cases involving juvenile offenders charged with capital crimes and see if you think their punishment fit their crime.

-http://www.crimeandinvestigation.co.uk/crime-files/menendez-brothers/biography.html

-Look on the internet and find what the laws are involving juvenile offenders and the death penalty http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/execution-juveniles-us-and-other-countries

Credits and References

Pictures http://www.freewebs.com/greasergirls4ever/theoutsiders.htm

Book references http://www.enotes.com/outsiders/chapter-summary

Standards https://www.georgiastandards.org/standards/Pages/BrowseStandards/BrowseGPS.aspx http://www.iste.org/Libraries/PDFs/NETS-S_Standards.sflb.ashx

Georgia Standards

PS-LCRP-3. Students will identify and explain the various roles of courtroom participants

SSCG22 The student will demonstrate knowledge of the criminal justice process

PS-LCRP-9. Students will explore the roles of each participant in the pretrial process

PS-LCRP-11. Students will participate in a mock trial

PS-LCRP-12. Students will examine the post trial process

ISTE NET Standards

Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology

Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information

Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others

Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and practice legal and ethical behavior

Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems, and operation