NCJ Number
66316
Date Published
Unknown
Length
121 pages
Annotation
SEVEN SCRIPTS OF MOCK TRIALS, DESIGNED TO PROVIDE AN INTRODUCTION TO THE LEGAL SYSTEM FOR HIGH SCHOOL GROUPS AND ADULT AUDIENCES, ARE PRESENTED; WISCONSIN STATUTORY LAW IS FOLLOWED.
Abstract
SCRIPT TOPICS INCLUDE TWO AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT CASES, A LANDLORD TENANT DISPUTE, A DRUNK DRIVING CASE, A HOMICIDE, A BURGLARY, AND A CHILD ABUSE CASE. PREPARATION OF ANY MOCK TRIAL SHOULD INCLUDE A LAWYER'S HELP, AND ARRANGING FOR A LOCAL JUDGE TO PRESIDE ENHANCES PRESENTATION. EACH SCRIPT HAS BEEN PREPARED BY EXPERIENCED LAWYERS. THE SCRIPTS ARE NOT MEANT TO BE READ VERBATIM BUT SHOULD SERVE AS OUTLINES BY GIVING THE NECESSARY FACTS FOR STUDENTS TO USE AS THEY MAKE PRESENTATIONS IN THEIR OWN WORDS. PARTICIPANTS SHOULD BE SELECTED FROM THE GROUP FOR WHOM THE TRIAL IS PRESENTED. WHERE A POLICE OFFICER IS REQUIRED TO TESTIFY, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT A UNIFORMED OFFICER FROM THE LOCAL POLICE FORCE BE INVITED TO ADD REALISM TO THE PRESENTATION. WHILE SCRIPTS REQUIRE VARYING AMOUNTS OF TIME FOR PRESENTATION, THE ENTIRE MOCK TRIAL SHOULD TAKE NO LONGER THAN 2 TO 2-1/2 HOURS. THE JUDGE SHOULD DISCUSS BRIEFLY THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A CIVIL AND A CRIMINAL TRIAL AND THE IMPORTANCE OF THE JURY. WHEN THE JURY RETIRES TO REACH ITS VERDICT, THE JUDGE MAY TALK INFORMALLY TO EXPLAIN MATTERS WHICH HAVE DEVELOPED DURING THE TRIAL. THE TRIAL MUST MOVE RAPIDLY FOR THE SAKE OF AUDIENCE INTEREST. LAWYERS AND JUDGES SHOULD SPEAK SIMPLY AND CLEARLY. ALL SCRIPTS ARE PREPARED WITH THE SAME GENERAL FORMAT. THERE IS A LIST OF PARTICIPANTS, A STATEMENT OF FACTS, STATEMENTS OF FACT FOR EACH WITNESS, A STATEMENT OF THE ISSUES, SUGGESTED JURY INSTRUCTIONS, AND VERDICTS. WHENEVER POSSIBLE, PRESENTATION IN THE COURTHOUSE IS RECOMMENDED. EXHIBITS ARE PROVIDED WITH THE SCRIPTS.