A Mock Trial
Grade Level: 8-12/ American History
Objectives: A mock trial ia a valuable learning experience in many ways. It may be used to help students learn about:
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1. Specific areas of law
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2. Courtroom procedures
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3. Roles of courtroom personal
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4. How the courts resolve conflicts peacefully
Purpose: While learning the details of the trial process and procedures, students are also developing a number of critical skills that are necessary life skills:
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1. Critical analysis of problems
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2. Strategic thinking
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3. Questioning skills
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4. Listening skills
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5. Skills in oral presentation
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6. Skills in presenting an argument
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7. Skills in preparing and organizing materials
What is needed the most in a mock trial is the cooperation among students to make it a success. Participation in a mock trial helps the students to better understand the roles that the various actors play in the justice system and also the difficult conflicts those persons must resolve daily in performing their jobs. Mock trials help the students to gain an understanding of the legal mechanism through which society chooses to resolve much of its disputes.
Resources: You can have a guest attorney help with the basic fundamentals of the mock trial.
Activities and Procedures:
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a. The mock trial should include and involve every tudent in the class for the entire unit.
Students not assigned specific active roles lose interest quick.
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b. The trial itself has room for the roles other than attorneys and witnesses. They include:
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a. Judges
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b. Clerks
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c. Members of the jury
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d. Court artist
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e. Video camera operator( you can tape the entire trial so the students can view it later on)