1. Warm Up
Who is the most important person in a courtroom? Why?

2. Courtroom People Lawyers Bailiff Judge Police Officers Jurors Clerk
Witnesses
Court Reporter
Defendant
Public
Plaintiff
Sketch Artists

3. Innocent Until Proven Guilty
What does that mean?
Who has to prove the guilt?
Beyond Reasonable Doubt
If the jurors have no doubt as to the defendant's guilt, or if their only doubts are unreasonable doubts, then the prosecutor has proven the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt and the defendant should be pronounced guilty.
-prosecution must prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, each essential element of the crime charged.
-prosecution

4. What does the judge say after an objection?
Objections
Leading –
Hearsay –
Irrelevant –
Opinion –
Nonresponsive answer –
What does the judge say after an objection?
Leading questions: Crown prosecutors must allow their witnesses to tell their own story; they must not lead their witnesses through the story. Defense lawyers must follow the same rule when questioning their witnesses.
Hearsay: the questions must limit witnesses to tell facts they know from personal knowledge. Other information they have is hearsay evidence.
Irrelevant: the information is not closely related to the case, and is therefore not important.
Opinions and conclusions: unless the witness is qualified as an expert, s/he should not give opinions or conclusions
Non-responsive answer: the witness’ answer is not addressing the question.

5. Examples Did you see the green truck hit the red car?
Did he hit him then?
Would you say that the car was traveling at 100 km/hour?
Joan told me Mrs. Smith has five cats.
An average citizen can give an opinion about the speed of a car. Only an expert, could give an opinion about the condition of the brake linings in a car.
-Tell us what you saw.
-What happened next?
-How fast was the car traveling?
-I saw five cats in Mrs. Smith’s kitchen.

6. How to Raise an Objection
Stand
State the reason for the objection
Take your seat while the other side responds
Address the Court, not opposing counsel
Stand if the Court addresses you

7. Trial Process Prosecution makes opening statement
Prosecution examines witness (direct examination)
Defense examines witness (cross-examination)
Steps 2-3 are repeated for each Prosecution witness
Defense makes opening statement
Steps 2-3 are repeated for each Defense witness starting with Defense direct examination
Defense presents closing arguments
Prosecution presents closing arguments
Jury leaves and deliberates
Jury returns and tells the accused that he or she is ‘guilty’ or ‘not guilty’
Court is adjourned

8. Monday Assignments Lawyers and witnesses – Plan for the trial
Main points of the case, Questions, weaknesses of witnesses
Jurors and judge – Fill out Juror Biography
Make it up or fill it out with what you’ll be like in 10 years
When you’re done, do other homework