U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

NCJRS Virtual Library

The Virtual Library houses over 235,000 criminal justice resources, including all known OJP works.
Click here to search the NCJRS Virtual Library

WITNESS GAME

NCJ Number
35791
Date Published
1976
Length
60 pages
Annotation
A CLASSROOM ROLE-PLAYING SIMULATION, DESIGNED IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY, (CA), WHICH IS SAID TO ENABLE STUDENTS TO EXPERIENCE SOME OF THE FRUSTRATIONS FELT BY MANY WITNESSES IN COURT.
Abstract
THE GAME IS DESIGNED TO SIMULATE THE PROCEDURAL COMPLEXITIES AND NUMEROUS DELAYS INVOLVED IN THE MASTER CALENDER COURT SYSTEM. FOLLOWING THE SIMULATION, DEBRIEFING QUESTIONS ARE PROVIDED WHICH PROBE THE CAUSES OF THESE FRUSTRATIONS. FINALLY, THE STUDENTS ARE ASKED TO COME UP WITH SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVING THE TREATMENT OF CRIMINAL TRIAL WITNESSES. THE SIMULATION TAKES ONE OR TWO CLASS PERIODS TO COMPLETE. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)