Over the next couple weeks, we will be participating in a mock trial Over the next couple weeks, we will be participating in a mock trial. The case concerns an alleged bullying situation.

This is a fictional court case This is a fictional court case. Any similarities to actual events are unintentional. Criss Lyman will testify he/she has been the victim of bullying since entering the school district as a transfer student during the seventh grade. It continued on through his/her junior year. Kim Dixon, the alleged bully, will testify that most of what was done to Criss Lyman was good natured and that Criss Lyman is afraid of his/her own shadow. Kim Dixon is being charged on three counts: reckless conduct, battery, and aggravated battery.

Each member of the class will be assigned a Role, and is expected to participate with their team. Before we can begin, we need to review what the Roles are. Each student will rank their top 3 choices on a notecard as we go through them. You will find out what your job is Monday!

Prosecution Clerk (Organizes/keeps track of materials) Lawyer 1 (Opening Statement) Lawyer 2 (Questions Prosecution) Lawyer 3 (Questions Defense) Lawyer 4 (Closing Argument) Witnesses: Criss Lyman, alleged victim of bullying Britt Green, community DARE police officer Dr. Terry Potter, psychologist

Defense Clerk (Organizes/keeps track of materials) Lawyer 1 (Opening Statement) Lawyer 2 (Questions Prosecution) Lawyer 3 (Questions Defense) Lawyer 4 (Closing Argument) Witnesses: Kim Dixon, alleged bully Robin Dwight, friend of Kim Dixon Dr. Blair Graham, school social worker

Bailiff: Swearing in, court room order Stenographer/Courtroom artist: Sketching the courtroom scene and depicting what happens Jury Clerk: In charge of making sure the jury understands what they are doing. Court reporter: Recording everything that happens in the court room Clerk: Arranging court room, knowing order of events, tracking progress of both teams

Keeper of the folder, assists witnesses in learning their parts Keeper of the folder, assists witnesses in learning their parts. Keeps everyone on their team on track and makes sure that each group member is making process. Help where help is needed. Must be responsible, reliable, organized, and HERE every day!

Lawyer 1(Opening Statement): 3-4 minute speech Lawyer 2(Questions Prosecution): At least 8 questions Lawyer 3(Questions Defense): At least 8 questions Lawyer 4(Closing Argument): 3-4 minute speech (Four additional lawyers for the team): Writing and research assistants (one for each lawyer), no speaking part *All lawyer parts are scripted, but notecards for cueing are acceptable.

You will be talking directly to the jury You will be talking directly to the jury. In your statement/speech, you must convince the jury that what they are about to hear OR what they have just heard, proves your case. Opening: This is the first time your jury is being introduced to the case. Paint a picture and make an argument. Closing: This is the last time the jury will hear from your side. Make your last stand. Make your argument.

You may prep your own witnesses You may prep your own witnesses. Meaning that you tell them what questions you are going to ask them to make your point and they can go ahead and form responses. Unfortunately, you will not be able to do that with the other side. (Cross Examination) So make well-written questions and be prepared for any response. Witnesses must know their information backwards and forwards. You will not know the questions the defense will be asking, so BE PREPARED.

Your group has been provided evidence that has already been submitted to the court. While you are questioning a witness, your lawyer may present evidence and make an argument for why it is relevant. Each group may bring in one piece of their own evidence. It MUST be submitted before trial, approved, and shared with the other side. Evidence is no secret in the courtroom.

You will be reading and taking notes on each witness’ deposition You will be reading and taking notes on each witness’ deposition. At the bottom, you should also summarize each of the charges brought against Kim Dixon.

Everyone in the group reads the witness statements, and reviews the evidence. It is the only way to have a full understanding of what the court case is about. At the end of the mock trial, you will be participating in a peer evaluation for your group. So please do your part.

The trial typically takes a day and a half to two days to complete.

We have done this court case for many years, and each class has had a different outcome. This court case is designed to go in the favor of the team who prepares and argues the best case.

Witnesses take an oath before taking the stand to “tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth.” If a witness intentionally lies while under oath it is called perjury. Perjury is a crime punishable by law. Since we do not have time for a second court case to try a witness for perjury, it will result in a penalty to their mock trial grade. If a witness lies unintentionally, because they did not prepare well, it will also result in a penalty to their mock trial grade.

Students from another class will come in each day and observe the trial. At the end, they will leave and make a decision. They are instructed to make the decision based SOLEY on what is witnessed during the trial they observe and nothing else. They are under the direction of a teacher when making their decision to ensure no outside information is considered when making their decision.