IOWA MOCK TRIAL 101: Middle School Mock Trial Basics

IOWA MOCK TRIAL 101: Presenters Christina Thompson: ISBA YLD Mock Trial Committee Co-Chair Phil Watson, P.C. John Lande: ISBA YLD Mock Trial Committee Co-Chair Dickinson, Mackaman, Tyler & Hagen, P.C. Van Everett: ISBA YLD Mock Trial Committee Member Whitfield & Eddy, P.L.C.

IOWA MOCK TRIAL 101: Outline What is Mock Trial? What are the elements of a Mock Trial? Why participate in Mock Trial? Getting Organized: How Do You Start? Resources for Learning Rules of Evidence and Procedure Resources for Crafting Good Witnesses

IOWA MOCK TRIAL 101: Outline How a Mock Trial Round Works Scoring Guidelines and How to Use Them as a Coaching Tool Cooperation between Attorney Coaches and Teacher Coaches Sticky Wickets: Perennial Problems Navigating the Tournament Other Issues?

GoToWebinar ASK Button How to Ask Questions? GoToWebinar ASK Button Email: jwheeler@iowabar.org Text: 515/720-4015

What is Mock Trial? * Simulated Courtroom Trial * Students Portray Attorneys & Witnesses * Alternative Assessment * Performance Assessment

Elements of a Mock Trial * Fact Summary * Petition/Charge * Answer * Legal Authorities * Stipulations * Witness Statements * Exhibits

Content of a Mock Trial * Criminal & Civil Problems * Relevant to Students * * Social Issue Connection * Cross-Curricular

Why Mock Trial? KNOWLEDGE: * Court Processes * Legal Actors/Roles * Specific Laws

Why Mock Trial SKILLS: * Preparation Research, Thinking, Writing, Team Building * Presentation * Critical Thinking Hierarchy * Effective Advocacy

Why Mock Trial? ATTITUDES/VALUES/DISPOSITIONS: * Appreciation for “Rule of Law” * Role of Attorneys, Judges, Etc. * Issues have Multiple Points of View * Positive Experience - Judicial System * Civic Engagement/Involvement

Why Mock Trial? COMMUNITY RESOURCES: * Community to School * Attorneys, Legal Professionals * Law Enforcement * Experts * School to Community * Real Life Learning

Flow of a Trial * Pre-Trial * Opening Statements * Plaintiff/Prosecution Case Direct Examinations Cross Examinations * Defense Case * Closing Arguments

Mock Trial Evaluation * Oral * Written * Scores: 1 6 7 10 1 6 7 10 Ineffective Effective Unpersuasive Persuasive Lack of Comprehension Mastery

Mock Trial Tips OPENING STATEMENTS: Story Telling Theory Theme Introductions – Counsel, Witnesses, Case Short, To the Point (4 minutes)

Mock Trial Tips DIRECT EXAMINATIONS: It’s All About the Witness Short, Direct Questions Enter Exhibits into Evidence Respond to Objections Theme

Mock Trial Tips CROSS EXAMINATIONS: It’s All About the Attorney Short, Close-Ended Questions Make Appropriate Objections Get In, Get Out, Move On Theme

Mock Trial Tips WITNESSES: Get Into Character & Stay In Character Know Your Statement Tell A Story Eye Contact, Vocal Contact Hit the Holes Don’t Get Rattled

Mock Trial Tips CLOSING ARGUMENT: Theme Review Evidence – Put it Together Make Sure that it Actually Happened Notes – Specific Quotes from Trial Prayer for Judgment Rebuttal

Mock Trial Tips OVERALL: Look/Act Professional Help Each Other Out/Teamwork Trial Notebooks – Organization Objections/Responses Respect Confidence – “Play Like a Champion Today”

Iowa Mock Trial Program * Largest Middle School Program in the Nation. * Among the Largest High School Participation. * Hundreds More Benefit from Classroom Trials * Largest (& Best) PR for ISBA Each Year

Contact Info. Iowa State Bar Association Center for Law & Civic Education 625 East Court Avenue Des Moines, Iowa 50309 515/697-7882 jwheeler@iowabar.org www.IowaBar.org