COLLEGIATE

MOCK TRIAL

What is Mock Trial? • an extracurricular activity where undergraduate students simulate a court case.

• the “law school equivalent” is called trial advocacy.

One case all season ... This year’s case = criminal. Last year’s case = civil. State v. Dawson Defendant accused of murder after drinking and driving recklessly – passenger in the car died. One Case Packet Includes “exhibits” Includes relevant “Case Law” Includes Witness Testimonies

DREXEL MTDrexel A TeamDrexel B TeamDrexel C Team

7- 8 people per team

Prosecution & Defense within each team

DREXEL A TEAM

Prosecution:

3 attorneys! opener, middle, closer

Defense:3 attorneys! opener, middle, closer

Each side also calls 3 witnesses!

Witnesses:- Actors and Actresses!- Add “character” and color to the trial.- Written testimonies have “good” and “bad” information.

Attorneys:- 2 of 3 attorneys have a “speech”- Create arguments - Use “questions” to illicit good evidence and bad evidence from witnesses.

How the room is set up ...PRESIDING JUDGE // SCORING

JUDGE

PROSECUTION DEFENSE

DEFENSE WITNESSES1-3

PROSECUTION WITNESSES

1-3

the stand

the

jury

SECTIONS OF A TRIAL:OPENING STATEMENTS

(1 ATTORNEY FROM EACH SIDE)

DIRECTS(EACH ATTORNEY DIRECTS 1 OF

THEIR OWN WITNESS)

CROSSES(EACH ATTORNEY CROSSES 1 OPPOSING WITNESS)

CLOSING STATEMENTS(1 ATTORNEY FROM EACH SIDE)

CANNOT BE THE “OPENER”

CROSS FROM LEGALLY BLONDE:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpvW9GZiIsM&feature=related

Elle Woods Crosses Chutney!

5:36

There are lots of rules ...Some things are irrelevant.Some things are “inadmissible.”Evidence must be authenticated.

Witnesses cannot contradict their written testimonies.Witnesses cannot make up extra facts (besides adding “character.”)

SO…

HOW DO YOU KEEP THEIR WITNESS FROM SAYING

TERRIBLE/STUPID THINGS?

MAKE AN OBJECTION!

Use the Federal Rules of Evidence ... they are real!

Example: You hear a witness going blah-blah about things no one cares about…

You are the attorney responsible for crossing them, so:

Make an Objection under RelevanceCite Rule 401 (Relevance) to keep their blah-blah out!

IMPRESS THE JUDGES. SCORE HIGHER!

SCORINGThere are 2 judges per round ... both score independently. Scores range from a 1-10 (1= poor, 10 = excellent)Each person’s part is scored individually.

Example: Opening Attorney:Scored on Opening StatementScored on DirectScored on Cross

Witness:Scored on DirectScored on Cross

IT’S TIME CONSUMING ...Practices – twice a week, 4-5 hours at a time.

Independent work throughout the week.

Invitationals & tournaments = ALL WEEKEND…Side effects:LACK OF SLEEP & HIGH LEVELS OF STRESS.

Before going 6-2 and kicking U Penn’s booty at Regionals:

But I’m not crazy.There are reasons to <3 Mock Trial

Teamwork & LeadershipTRAVEL!

Learn about our Federal Court SystemLooks wonderful on Resumes and Law School Apps