Mock Trials Outreach and Community Involvement Session Overview

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Mock Trials Outreach and Community Involvement

Mock Trials Outreach and Community Involvement

Session Overview � Benefits � Preparation � Material Selection � Conducting � Debriefing Trial

Session Overview � Benefits � Preparation � Material Selection � Conducting � Debriefing Trial

Benefits of Mock Trials � Community outreach � Educational opportunity ◦ ◦ Courts role

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

Benefits of Mock Trials � Partnership with school ◦ Juvenile case management ◦ Champion

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

Where to begin… � Outline critical educational points (goals) ◦ Develop questions for Debrief

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

Mock Trial Types � Know your participants & audience � Know your time frame

Mock Trial Types � Know your participants & audience � Know your time frame ◦ Use age appropriate interesting cases ◦ Select Type of Mock trial appropriate for group ◦ 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

Fully Scripted w/ Court Staff � Court staff plays all roles/ students are the

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

Fully Scripted w/ Students as Players � Students read script and fill all major

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

Role Play w/ Court Personnel � Unscripted ◦ Use a case summary of facts

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

Role Play w/ Court Personnel continued… � Students have more freedom with their characters

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

Role Play w/ Students as Attorneys � Appropriate for: ◦ High School age students

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

Role Play w/ Students as Attorneys � Preparation: ◦ Case selection & story development

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

Trial Resources � Create your case ◦ Can choose an interesting case from your

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: //19 thcircuitcourt. state. il. us/services/pages/moc k_trials. aspx

Preparing for Mock Trial � Jury summons ◦ Secure a list of students that

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 � Provides � Prepare for witnesses & officers a sense of reality to the mock trial all relevant documents

Day of Mock Trial… � Separate actors from potential jurors ◦ Review last minute

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

Day of Mock Trial… � Conduct trial �Limit interruptions �Time Management �Note Observations for

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

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 ◦ ◦ ◦

Activity � Practice ◦ Trial Type ◦ Presentation

Activity � Practice ◦ Trial Type ◦ Presentation

San Marcos Municipal Court of Record 630 East Hopkins St San Marcos, TX 78666

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