2. Learn all about the five main topics that will be in our Law School.
Form a study group. You may choose your study group, but choose wisely.
Choose a method for keeping notes. Click here for some ideas for notetaking methods and helpful hints.
Learn all about the five main topics that will be in our Law School.
Study all of your notes with your study group.
Your next stop on Law Street is PEn School of Law. It is here where you will earn your law degree. Study hard to pass your law exam.

3. Rubric Exceeding Meeting Approaching Limited Progress
Exceeding
Meeting
Approaching
Limited Progress
Quality
Student passed law exam for all five law courses on the first attempt. Student put thought and effort into maintaining notes that were neat, systematic, and detailed.
Student passed law exam for all five courses on the first or second attempt.
Student passed the law exam for four out of five law courses in the first or second attempt.
Student passed the law exam for less than four of the five law courses in the first or second attempt.
Quantity
Student completed all tasks and took notes from all 5 of the required courses. Student completed the task ahead of schedule.
 Students completed all tasks and took notes from all 5 required courses. Student completed all tasks on time.
Student did not complete all tasks before taking the exam. Or
Student did not complete PEn School of Law by the deadline.
Student did not have notes from each required course.
The student has little or no documentation of their note-taking.
required a significant amount of extra time to complete tasks.
Collaboration
The student was actively engaged and worked extremely well with his/her study group discussing new learnings and providing great support to prepare for the law exam. Student considered multiple factors when choosing study group.
The student was engaged and worked effectively with his/her study group to adequately prepare for the law exam.
The student was engaged sometimes and needed some reminders to work productively with his/her study group. Student could have done more to prepare the study group for the law exam.
Student was not engaged and did not interact well with his/her study group. Student did very little to help his/her group prepare for the law exam.
Rubric

4. What will I need to learn to be successful with a mock trial?
Law School Coursework
Learn about our Constitution.
You will learn the history of the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and famous historical cases involving our Constitution.
Learn about the Branches of Government.
You will learn about the three branches, the idea of balance of power, and go in depth to the judicial/ court systems.
Learn about Laws.
You will learn about what laws are, kinds of laws, how to read and interpret a law, and more.
Learn about Trials.
You will learn about types of trials, how a trial works, and what roles people have within trials..
Learn about Law Strategy
Learn concepts that Lawyers need to know and use in order to win cases such as jury selection, using evidence and witnesses, rules of evidence, and types of defenses.
What will I need to learn to be successful with a mock trial?

5. What will I need to learn to be successful with a mock trial?
Use this interactive Constitution and complete the questions that follow.
Print the Bill to Law graphic organizer. Then open the Schoolhouse Rock – Bill video from the share drive and watch it to learn about how a bill becomes a law. Fill out the organizer for the process of a bill becoming a law.
View the Brain Pop video about the Bill of Rights and take notes.
Play the Bill of Rights interactive game
Landmark cases have great impact on our the way our Constitution is interpreted. Use this website to read about landmark cases. Then, complete the quiz.
What will I need to learn to be successful with a mock trial?

6. What will I need to learn to be successful with a mock trial?
Watch this video to learn about the branches of government and take notes. Feel free to watch the video twice. Then take the graded quiz. You must score 80% or above before moving onto the next task. Print out your passing score and give it to your teacher.
Review the Checks and Balances overview chart. Go to the share drive to play the Branches of Government video to deepen your knowledge. Apply your understanding of this topic while playing this game.
Learn about our Judicial system using these resources: Congress for Kids and U.S. Government for Kids. Solve this riddle with words from your reading.
Learn about the federal court system and the state court system and take notes that include case examples. Be sure to click on the + signs to access additional information that you will need to know for the student challenge. Take the student challenge at the bottom of the webpage.
What will I need to learn to be successful with a mock trial?

8. What will I need to learn to be successful with a mock trial?
Print the Course 3 Response Packet.
Read the comparison between rules and laws to gain an understanding of the difference and the need for rules and laws. Answer the prompts about Rules and Laws in the response packet.
Read about Federal and State Laws and respond to the prompts about federal and state laws in the response packet.
Read about the Federal Law process and respond to the prompts about the federal law process in the response packet.
Learn how to read a law or citation then answer the prompts in the response packet.
View the Intent v Letter of the Law PowerPoint. It is best to review this with your study group. Respond to the prompts in the response packet.
Read about penalties and respond to the prompts in the response packet.
What will I need to learn to be successful with a mock trial?

9. Rules v Laws

10. Federal Law and State Law

11. Federal Law and State Law

12. Federal Law and State Law

13. Federal Law and State Law

14. Federal Law and State Law

15. Federal Law and State Law

16. Federal Law and State Law

17. Federal Law and State Law

18. Federal Law and State Law

19. Federal Law Process

20. Federal Law Process

21. Federal Law Process

22. Federal Law Process

23. Federal Law
Process

24. Reading a Law

25. Reading a Law

26. Reading a Law

27. Penalties

28. Penalties

29. Penalties

30. Penalties

31. Penalties

32. Penalties

33. Penalties

34. Penalties

35. What will I need to learn to be successful with a mock trial?
Go to the share drive to play the Civil and Criminal Cases video to learn about the difference between a civil and a criminal trial. Take notes. Also review this website and jot down any important information. Be sure to click on both the criminal and civil tabs. Take the student challenge at the bottom of the website. Record your score.
Learn about the different people in the courtroom. Then check out this website. Be sure to click on all of the + signs to deepen your understanding. Take notes. Take the student challenge at the bottom of the website and record your score.
Glance at this overview to learn about the steps of a jury trial. Apply your knowledge by putting the steps in the correct sequence on the Jury Trial Steps Smart Notebook. Print out a black and white copy for your notes once you have all of the items in the correct order.
Go to the share drive and open the High School mock trial video to watch a high school from Philadelphia participating in a mock trial.
Print the Spongebob Organizer. Enjoy reading a trial based on Spongebob Squarepants. Fill out the organizer based on the Spongebob script.
What will I need to learn to be successful with a mock trial?

36. Who Are the People in Court?
Many people work in a court. Everyone has a job to do. First, there is the judge. In many courts, the judge will be wearing a black robe. The judge usually sits at the front of the courtroom on the bench. The judge’s name is often on a sign near the bench. The judge does many things. First, the judge is like a referee at a ball game. The judge makes sure that everyone plays by the rules. Sometimes the judge is also the person who decides the argument that people came to court about. For example, if two people came to court because they disagree about money, the judge might be the person who finally decides who gets the money. Other times, a group of people decides who wins the argument. These people are called jurors. Jurors are people who come to court to listen to each side of a disagreement. Then the jurors decide how the disagreement will be settles. A group of jurors is called a jury.

37. Who Are the People in Court?
When people go to court, they often have lawyers. Lawyers are also called attorneys. Lawyers give advice to people on their disagreements in court. It is the lawyer’s job to talk to the judge and jurors for the people who come to court. You don’t have to have a lawyer to go to court. When a lawyer talks for someone who has come to court, it means that the lawyer ‘represents’ the person. Each lawyer represents only one person in court. Lawyers usually sit next to the person they represent in court.
You can probably spot the bailiff very easily in court. The bailiff is the person who makes sure the people who go to court obey the rules. The bailiff is usually wearing a uniform. The bailiff is a special police officer just for the court.

38. Who Are the People in Court?
The court reporter is the person who writes down everything that everybody says in court. Wow! Can you imagine writing down all the words people say? The court reporter usually sits near the judge and types on a small machine. Court reporters type very fast, and everyone in court has to speak slowly and clearly so the court reporter can hear what they say.
All courts have a clerk as well. A court clerk keeps all the papers about the cases in the court and organizes them. The clerk keeps track of the decisions or orders that the judge makes during court and also keeps the court’s schedule.

39. Who Are the People in Court?
Witnesses are people who come to court to tell what they have seen or heard. For example, if someone is accused of stealing something, a witness might come to court to say what they saw happen. When witnesses come to court, they have to raise their hand and make a special promise, called an oath, to tell the truth. They take a special seat and the lawyers ask them questions. Cases that last a long time may have lots of witnesses.

40. Overview: Court Case Sequence

41. What will I need to learn to be successful with a mock trial?
Learn about Direct vs. Circumstantial Evidence and take notes. Go to the share drive to watch the Types of Evidence video to learn about the different types of forensic evidence (exhibits) that may be introduced at a trial. Take notes about these types of evidence and include examples of each type.
Read through the following resources to learn about how a jury is selected. Be sure to take notes!
Jury Selection in Bucks County
Juror Handbook
PA Jury Service
Selecting a Jury
Learn about the rules of evidence. Take notes as you read.
Learn about the Types of Criminal Defenses used in criminal trials and Types of Civil Defenses used in a civil trial. Be sure to take notes.
Read about Opinions, Witnesses, and Expert Testimony. Learn about the validity of Eyewitness Testimony and what the experts say about this type of testimony.
What will I need to learn to be successful with a mock trial?

42. Direct v. Circumstantial Evidence
Evidence presented in a trial can be classified as either direct evidence or circumstantial evidence. One, if believed, directly proves a fact. The other allows a fact to be inferred.
Direct Evidence: That which usually speaks for itself (i.e. eyewitness testimony, a weapon, etc.) This is evidence based on a witness’s personal knowledge or actual experience. Whether the judge or jury, whose duty is to listen to the evidence and determine the truth, believes the witness is a separate issue regarding credibility, but does not change the nature of the testimony as direct evidence.

43. Direct v. Circumstantial Evidence
Circumstantial Evidence: That which suggests a fact by inference (i.e. the appearance of the scene of a crime, testimony that suggest a connection or link to the crime, etc.) This is more complex. The witness did see the defendant go into store. The witness heard a scream inside the store and saw the defendant run out, carrying a bag that looked full while something fell from the bag to the ground. The store is later found to have an empty cash register and a $5 bill is found on the ground outside the store. A reasonable inference is that the defendant stole money from the store’s cash register. Whether that fact is true will determine if the defendant is guilty.
One of the most important elements of proving a criminal case is the existence in the defendant’s mind of criminal intent, known as mens rea. The fact that a defendant did something does not explain his state of mind. A defendant’s state of mind must always be proven by circumstantial evidence.

44. Direct v. Circumstantial Evidence
Evidence is presented in a trial through the testimony of witnesses. The witnesses describe either their version of events, relate other relevant information, or identify physical evidence to assist the judge/jury in determining a criminal defendant’s guilt or a civil defendant’s liability. .
Both kinds of evidence are used in most trials – with circumstantial evidence often being used more than direct evidence. Either kind of evidence can be offered in witness testimony or physical exhibits like fingerprints, test, results, documents, etc. Neither kind of evidence is more valuable than the other.

45. Information retrieved from

46. Information retrieved from

47. Information retrieved from

48. Information retrieved from

49. Information retrieved from

50. Information retrieved from

51. Information retrieved from

52. Information retrieved from

53. Rules of Evidence What are rules of evidence?
They assure that each party gets a fair hearing.
These rules govern the types of evidence that may be introduced in a trial as well as the manner in which evidence may be presented.
Who is responsible for enforcing these rules?
The attorney and the judge are responsible for enforcing these rules.
Before the judge can apply a rule of evidence, an attorney must ask the judge to do so.
Attorneys do this by making “objections” to the evidence or procedure employed by the opposing side.
The rules of evidence used in real trials can be very complicated. A few of the most important rules have been adapted for mock trial purposes.

54. Rule 1: Leading Questions
A leading question is one which suggests the answer desired by the questioner, usually stating some facts not previously discussed and then asking the witness to give a yes or a no answer.
Example: “So, Mr. Smith, you took Ms. Jones to a movie that night, didn’t you?”
Leading questions may not be asked on direct examination. Leading questions may be used on cross examination.
Objection: “Objection, Your Honor, counsel is leading the witness.”

55. Rule 2: Narration
Narration occurs when the witness provides more information than the question called for.
Example:
Attorney - “What did you do when you reached the front door of the house?”
Witness – “I opened the door and walked into the kitchen. I was afraid that he was in the house
– you know he had been acting quite strangely the day before.”
Witnesses’ answers must respond to the questions. A narrative answer is objectionable.
Objection: “Objection, Your Honor, the witness is narrating.”

56. Irrelevant questions or answers are objectionable.
Rule 3: Relevance
Questions and answers must relate to the subject matter of the case; this is called relevance. Questions or answers that do not relate to the case are “irrelevant.”
Example: (In a traffic accident case) “Mrs. Smith, how many times have you been married?”
Irrelevant questions or answers are objectionable.
Objection: “Objection, Your Honor, this question is irrelevant to this case.”

57. Rule 4: Hearsay
Hearsay is something the witness has heard someone say outside the courtroom.
Example: “Harry told me that he was going to visit Mr. Brown.”
One exception to this rule is when the witness is repeating a statement made by one of the parties in the case.
Objection: “Objection, Your Honor, this is hearsay.”

58. A lack of first hand knowledge is objectionable.
Rule 5: First hand Knowledge
Witnesses must have directly seen, heard, or experienced whatever it is they are testifying about.
Example: “I know Harry well enough to know that he was likely playing video games that night, as he always does, in the evenings.”
A lack of first hand knowledge is objectionable.
Objection: “Objection, Your Honor, the witness has no firsthand knowledge of Harry’s whereabouts that night.”

59. Opinions are objectionable unless given by an expert.
Rule 6: Opinions
Unless a witness is qualified as an expert in the appropriate field, such as medicine or ballistics, the witness may not give an opinion about matters relating to that field.
Example: (Said by a witness who is not a doctor) “The doctor put my cast on wrong. That why I have a limp now.”
Opinions are objectionable unless given by an expert.
Objection: “Objection, Your Honor, the witness is giving an opinion.”

60. All parties are expected to show respect in the courtroom.
Rule 7: Argumentative Question
Attorneys cannot badger or argue with the witness. Questions may also not be argumentative in tone or manner. Badgering is harassing or asking again and again and again. While attorneys questioning the other side’s witnesses can be forceful and pressing, if they go too far, a judge will sustain an objection for being argumentative.
All parties are expected to show respect in the courtroom.
Objection: “Objection, Your Honor, that question is argumentative.”

61. There is a fine line between a reasonable inference and speculation.
Rule 8: Speculation
Attorneys cannot ask questions that get witnesses to speculate, or guess at answers
Example: “What do you think Harry was doing that night?”
There is a fine line between a reasonable inference and speculation.
Objection: “Objection, Your Honor, counsel is asking the witness to speculate in order to answer the question.”

62. What will I need to learn to be successful with a mock trial?
Here are four different note-taking methods that college students are using. Click on each one to find the best one for you.
The Cornell Method
The Outline Method
Charting Method
Mind Map Method
What will I need to learn to be successful with a mock trial?

63. Methods: The Cornell Method
Note Taking
Methods: The Cornell Method
Use this method if you want to:
Comprehend as much as possible
Master your notes
Fully understand your subject
What will I need to learn to be successful with a mock trial?

64. What will I need to learn to be successful with a mock trial?
The Cornell Method
Divide paper like this:
What will I need to learn to be successful with a mock trial?

65. What will I need to learn to be successful with a mock trial?
The Cornell Method
This section is for the topic you are studying, for example: The Constitution
What will I need to learn to be successful with a mock trial?

66. What will I need to learn to be successful with a mock trial?
The Cornell Method
This section is for your main notes. You can jot down notes during the lecture.
Be sure to leave spaces between lines in case you need to add information later in the lecture.
What will I need to learn to be successful with a mock trial?

67. What will I need to learn to be successful with a mock trial?
The Cornell Method
This section is to use AFTER the lecture (usually within 24 hours).
You can think of questions that might be on the test, or key vocabulary that you might need to know
What will I need to learn to be successful with a mock trial?

68. What will I need to learn to be successful with a mock trial?
The Cornell Method
This is where you will summarize your notes in one or two sentences. Do this within 24 hours of the lecture.
What will I need to learn to be successful with a mock trial?

69. The Outline Method The outline method might be for you if:
You like things tidy
You love organization
You like to compartmentalize

70. The Outline Method
Uses a system of Numbers, capital and lower case letters to indicate the relative importance of different ideas
Constitution
History
Written in Philadelphia in 1787
a. James Madison was key figure

71. Charting Method This method might be good for you if you:
Love to be fast
Love efficiency
Like to be prepared

72. Key Facts: Charting Method Notes are split into labeled columns
Requires more prep time than other methods, but is very quick during note taking process
Provides a systematic overview of your notes

73. Page outline: Charting Method
Pages are divided into various columns (usually four)
Major topics that will be covered during note taking are used to designate each column
Date
Event
People
Significance

74. Mind Map Method This method might be good for you if:
You are a visual learner
You enjoy minimal notetaking

75. Key Facts: Mind Map Method
Uses images to display ides that begin in the center of the page and work outward
Is a fantastic tool for visual learners
In theory this method uses the same architecture as the brain

76. Page outline: Mind Map Method
Mind Maps begin in the center and ideas spread out from that point

77. Page outline: Mind Map Method
Each idea is connected to at least 1 other idea