1. Welcome to Law Fair!
Washington School

2. Some Rules for Law Fair..
Even though this is an after-school activity, you are still in school – all school rules still apply!
Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each meeting
No food or drinks in the classroom
Stay in your seat, raise your hand, and do not call out – remember, you are still in school
Clear your desk of all bags, coats, homework, etc. except for a pen/pencil and paper
I will walk everyone to aftercare, and then to the 1st grade door to be dismissed – stay together, and walk QUIETLY
Respect other’s opinions, consider other perspectives, and always look at both sides of a story
Law Fair is meant to be fun, but it should also be taken seriously – if not, there is a possibility of losing your participation in the club

3. Do Now: What do you know about law?
What do you know about court? (Anything you know about it, such as the people, process, or types)
Take 5 minutes to think and jot down your answer.

4. What is Law fair?
Law Fair is a club where you will have the opportunity to create your own mock trial case – working together in groups, you will each be responsible for writing different parts of the case
You will also learn about the law – specifically civil cases
The draft is due mid-January – your case will be entered into the NJ State Bar Foundation’s Mock Trial Competition
You will have the opportunity to perform your case in front of Washington School’s 4th-6th graders in the spring
You will also have the opportunity to visit the NJ State Bar Foundation in New Brunswick, NJ, in Spring 2017

5. Civil and Criminal Court Cases: What’s the Difference?
What is a civil case?
Civil cases involve private disputes between another person, organization, or business. In order to make up for harm done, such as an injury or loss, people can sue for an amount of money. The person who is suing is called the plaintiff, and the person who is being sued is called the defendant.
We don’t say “guilty” or “innocent”  “at fault”

6. Examples of Civil Cases
a homeowner who has hired a builder under contract to build a new bedroom has sued the builder for not completing the job
a customer in a store slipped on a spilled bottle of soda that was dropped by another customer and is suing the store for their injury

7. Civil and Criminal Court Cases: What’s the Difference?
What is a criminal case?
Criminal cases involve offenses against society’s rules. The police are involved in investigating the crime, and a person, or suspect, is charged with a crime and brought to court.
The federal government, not the actual victim, charges the suspect with the crime. It then has to prove that the suspect committed the crime.
The suspect must be found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Results in either imprisonment/restitution/supervision or all three.

8. Examples of Criminal Cases
Drunk driving
Arson
Murder
Selling illegal drugs
Kidnapping

9. Who/What Makes up a Trial?
Plaintiff
Defendant
Attorney (lawyer)
Judge
Jury
Each side presents their case, or their side of the story. This story is called the testimony
The jury deliberates, or decides, who is right in the case

10. Six Phases of a Civil Trial
1. Choosing a jury
2. Opening statements
3. Witness testimony
4. Closing arguments
5. Jury instruction
6. Jury deliberation

11. Example of a Civil Trial
As you listen, think about the different phases of a civil trial
Think about the side you would take, and consider the other side’s reasons as well
Jot some notes down as I read; whose side would you take?

12. Exit Ticket
1. List some reasons why the plaintiff is correct, and why the defendant is correct. (This will help you be able to see different perspectives)
2. What are you most looking forward to in Law Fair? What questions do you have about civil trials or the law in general?
3. What possible issues or topics could our trial be about? List some ideas.
Put your name on your exit ticket! 

13. Sources