Tips and Suggestions for Coaching 16 year old high schoolers to play 82 year

old retired crop dusters… and other adventures in

Mock Trial Coaching.

PRESENTED BY JANEL ANDERSON MIDDLETON HIGH SCHOOL MOCK TRIAL

Witnesses

AGENDA1.QUALITIES OF A GOOD

WITNESS2.WHY WITNESSES MATTER3.PLAYING THE PART

a.APPEARANCESb.COURTROOM BEHAVIOR

4.WHAT SMART WITNESSES DO

5.WHAT SMART WITNESSES DON’T DO

6.DISCUSSIONa.YOUR QUESTIONS &

THOUGHTS

EXPERIENCED COACHES: THINK ABOUT THE BEST STUDENT WITNESS YOU HAVE EVER COACHED

NEW COACHES: THINK ABOUT THE BEST MOVIE OR REAL LIFE WITNESS YOU HAVE EVER SEEN

WRITE A QUICK LIST - WHAT DO YOU THINK OF WHEN YOU THINK OF THIS PERSON?

WHAT MADE THEM SO GREAT?

THINK, PAIR, SHARE

JUDGE CROCKER - COACHES CONFERENCE 2010

SCORING PYRAMID

WHY DO WITNESSES MATTER?

Playing the Part

The Suspension of Disbelief…

BUILD the Set:

VoiceMannerVocabularyAppearance…

Appearance

●Help Judges Suspend Disbelief by Looking the Part○ Do:

• Be clean/neat/tucked in. • Collars on shirts and ties

tightened• Wear clothes that fit. • Find jackets and pants that match

when possible.• Pull hair away from face, keep bangs

and the “Justin Bieber flip” trimmed.○ Avoid:

• Big jewelry• Distracting Shoes “Prom

Shoes”/Sneakers• Revealing Tops/Low-ride pants

Addressing the Court

● Remind students this is a formal setting○ Mock Trial is often more formal than “real” court.○ Courtesy and respect for the courts is a cornerstone of the Mock

Trial Program○ Respect the formality of the courtroom – it is not a classroom.○ The judge represents the court and should be shown respect at all

times

● Remind students to:○ SPEAK UP!○ Eye Contact - Judge & Attorney○ Say:

• “Your Honor”• Please• Thank You

“Smart Witnesses” Do...

●Know the Case○Read and understand the details of ALL the

witness materials

●Build Credibility with the Judges○Charm/Intensity/Respect○Make them laugh… if you can.

●Listen to the WHOLE Trial○Use evidence/from the previous testimony

●Anticipate ○Why are they asking you this?○What is the “right” answer?

●Handle Documents Correctly○ Hold documents up when you use them○ Point out items when necessary

“Smart Witnesses” DON’T Do...

●Costuming○ What is a costume?

●Stay INSIDE the case○ know what a “material fact” is and stay

within them●Stereotyping

○ Sensitivity & Wisdom must be coached… teens don’t always know until they have offended someone.

●Arguing○ Know which fight to fight○ When to just say “Yes”/”No” on cross○ Stay OUT of the objections

● Don’t Tune Out○ Objections - what just happened? ○ Slouching /Fidgeting○ Face in hands

●“Seat Talk”

Discussion?

This year’s witnesses?Smid O’Reilly

Marks UnderwoodFoley Marcus

Rules?Coaching Ideas?

Advice?Concerns?

Common Errors/Issues?