1. IOWA MOCK TRIAL 101: Middle School Mock Trial Basics

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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?

5. GoToWebinar ASK Button
How to Ask Questions?
GoToWebinar ASK Button
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6. What is Mock Trial? * Simulated Courtroom Trial
* Students Portray Attorneys & Witnesses
* Alternative Assessment
* Performance Assessment

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

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

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

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

11. 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

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

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

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

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

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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

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

21. 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

22. Contact Info.
Iowa State Bar Association
Center for Law & Civic Education
625 East Court Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa
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