Handling Controversial Issues Tips for Examining Tough Cases with Maturity

Issues You May Encounter in Mock Trials Murder Murder Rape Rape Suicide Suicide Assault Assault Racial discrimination Racial discrimination Sexual discrimination Sexual discrimination Wrongful death Wrongful death Medical malpractice Medical malpractice Child abuse Child abuse Wrongful termination Wrongful termination Fraud Fraud Attempted murder Attempted murder bribery bribery

Treat the Issues Seriously A common response when encountering these issues is to make jokes A common response when encountering these issues is to make jokes We make jokes to protect ourselves from expressing our true feelings – it’s a defense mechanism We make jokes to protect ourselves from expressing our true feelings – it’s a defense mechanism Stop yourselves from making inappropriate comments by thinking before you say anything Stop yourselves from making inappropriate comments by thinking before you say anything

Use Empathy Think about what it is like for the people going through the trial, both the plaintiff and the defendant Think about what it is like for the people going through the trial, both the plaintiff and the defendant Keep in mind that for these people, this case is very important to their daily life Keep in mind that for these people, this case is very important to their daily life Do not mock or make fun of anyone in the case for any reason – humor is not acceptable in the courtroom Do not mock or make fun of anyone in the case for any reason – humor is not acceptable in the courtroom

Tolerate and Respect Others’ Opinions and Choices You may not like how others live their lives or the way that they think, but you need to understand that their actions and feelings are valid You may not like how others live their lives or the way that they think, but you need to understand that their actions and feelings are valid Follow the golden rule when working with others Follow the golden rule when working with others