Postponed… we will announce new date soon.

The outside judge is all set to preside. The Coaches have done their work. Now it’s up to the fifth grade!

Who is this Lady?

Chris, R.T., Jake, Toby, Ethan, Broy, Maelee, Morgan J., Brian, Morgan M., Autumn and Weston.

Each attorney MUST have their questions for their witnesses (each has three witnesses) and their opening statement or closing argument depending on their assignment. Continue reading →

Dear 5th Grade Parents:
Both 6th and 7th grades have now held successful Mock Trial Competitions. 5th grade is making up for missed days to get ready for our own Mock Trial Day. Below are the Mock Trial assignments for next Monday:

• Each child is to prepare a cross examination for the witness(es) they are assigned to.  A cross examination involves asking questions of a witness that the other side has already put on the stand.
• Leading questions CAN be asked on cross examination.  A leading question is Continue reading →

Dear 5th Grade: the day of the Mock Trial (with an outside judge presiding) is rapidly approaching. Here is your assignment from your coaches! (due Monday, April 23)

Each child is to prepare a direct examination for the witness(es) they are assigned to.

• A direct examination involves asking non-leading questions.
• A leading question is a question which suggests the answer to the witness, i.e.

• You were at home with Robin Banks in the early morning of October 12, 2011, weren’t you?

•  Where were you in the early morning of October 12, 2011?  Who were you with?, etc.

Each child MUST come prepared next Monday, April 23^rd with questions for the witness(es) they were assigned (see below the jump) using the facts that help support their side of the case, prosecution or defense.

Continue reading →

The attached two documents (Fact Pattern – Mock Trial FIfth Grade and Witness Statement – Mock Trial Fifth Grade) were handed out to the fifth grade students on Monday January 23^rd  in preparation for the next Mock Trial class (February 6^th), please have your child do the following:

1. Read the fact pattern.
2. Read the witness statement.
3. Prepare three questions to ask the witness based upon the statement which they will ask as if they were prosecuting the case (i.e. bringing the charges against the accused) which will bring out evidence that is helpful to show that the accused committed the crime.  Remind your child that these questions should not be leading questions, i. e. the question should not suggest the answer to the witness.
4. Prepare three questions to ask the witness based upon the statement which they will ask as if they defending  the case (i.e. as the attorney representing the accused) which will bring out evidence that is helpful to show that the accused did not commit the crime.  These questions can be leading.

Thanks, Jennifer Britt — Mock Trial Coach

Mock Trial Coaches Ms. Jennifer Britt and Meredith Levin started the 5th grade Mock Trial Program today. The students read their first case (we’ll read it again in Seminar) and started work preparing for an end-of-term trial in front of a judge.

Mock Trial Note-Takers Template PDF: Who Why What Where When and How?

• Today is the first day of the Mock Trial Program. Bring a notebook and listen carefully to your Coach so you can start to fill in this NoteTakers Template (it will take a few weeks to complete)
• Once you can answer all these questions you’ll be ready for Your Day in Court!

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Mock Trial OUTLINE PDF: Key Ideas

• Match the colors in this Outline with the  “Who, What, Where, When, Why, and Continue reading →