1. Introduction to Law Mr. Calella
Mock Trial Guidelines
Introduction to Law
Mr. Calella

2. Remember what we learned!
Opening Statements
Introduce facts to jury (slant them!)
Introduce your witnesses and what they will present
Discredit the other side and their witnesses
Ask jury to find in your favor
See examples on PDF (see wiki)
Closing Statements
Review facts that were presented; highlight strong points on your side and low points on other side
Refute the other side
Ask the jury to find your favor

3. Continued… Direct Examinations Cross Examinations
Open-ended questions and NO LEADING questions!
How, where, when, why, explain
Purpose is to have witness narrate a story, but you must ask for specific information
Build credibility
See examples on PDF (see wiki)
Cross Examinations
Leading questions (yes/no answer)
Narrative questions should be avoided
Know answer before asking any question
Destroy credibility

4. Know the Facts
First and foremost, all group members must read the entire packet so don’t be lazy!
The Mock Trial Packet is on the wiki
READ THE PACKET BECAUSE NEXT CLASS YOU WILL HAVE A QUIZ ON FACTS OF THE CASE!
Open notes (NO iPad notes; must be hand written, not typed)

5. Stick to the Facts Everyone must stick to the facts of the case
A witness can improvise as long as it does not materially change the case
If a witness tries to change the facts, the other side should then try to impeach their credibility by using the testimony in the packet.

6. Use the Evidence This case is well-balanced
Focus on the evidence that best helps your case
The team that performs the best as a team will win

7. Introducing Evidence
There is a number of items that may be entered into evidence during the mock trial of this case
To do so, please follow these steps…
Call a witness who has knowledge of the item
Ask the witness questions about the item
Show the witness the item and ask them to identify it for the court
Ask the judge to admit it into evidence
The judge will ask the other side for consent
If no consent is given, the two sides will argue about it and the judge will make a final decision

8. Objections Hearsay Opinion Relevance Leading Question
Any statement made by someone not present in the court that is offered as proof of a fact
Make the objection after the other side’s witness uses hearsay in his/her testimony
Opinion
Lay or eye witnesses are not permitted to offer their opinion about a case
Only expert witnesses may provide their opinions
Relevance
Only relevant testimony or evidence can be offered
Leading Question
Other side cannot use leading questions during the direct examination of their witnesses

9. I Want a Smooth Trial
Know your testimony as a witness; you should not read your lines (you need to be credible, not a robot)
NO notes while on the stand
You will have plenty of time to prepare and memorize your role
Prep your questions if you are an attorney
You may use notes
Cross uses leading questions (Yes/No)
No leading questions on direct

10. Be a Team
You will receive a class participation grade for your time prepping in class
No surfing or games; stay focused
Stay committed and be a team contributor throughout
Don’t check out when your role is complete; continue helping others & assist with objections
If you are done early, see me and we will check things over!

11. Use Your Class Time! Work as a team!
Use your time in class to work with teammates
Bounce ideas off one another
See me if done early!!! You probably can do a lot more to do a better job.
Zero for the day if you do not make effective use of time (e.g., iPad games, internet surfing, etc.)

12. Grading
20 point class participation grade for time prepping in class for each block
No iPad games or internet surfing
100 point test/project grade
25 points for Presentation (demeanor, clarity, volume)
25 points for Knowledge of Facts
50 points for Overall Effectiveness (credibility as a witness or attorney; what you contribute towards winning)

13. Let’s pick teams Captains? I can make teams? 11th vs. 12th graders?
Males vs. Females?
After we pick teams, meet with your teams and assign roles
Captains should then share the roles with me so I can record them
Spend the rest of the class reading the packet!