Before Trial Trial Roles Attorney Witness Research Assistant Jury Prepare testimony with Prepare questions for crossexamination Write opening and closing statements Prepare testimony with attorneys Work with RAs to get strong evidence Prepare evidence for Write quotes, do research online Decide practice cases During Trial Present opening and closing arguments, examine and cross-examine Present evidence, answer examination and cross-examination questions Turn in evidence reports Take notes, decide guilt or innocence After Trial Nothing Nothing Nothing Turn in trial report
Attorney What is it? How do you do it? Opening Statement Convince the jury that the evidence you provide will prove that your argument is valid; tell them why your side is correct and the other side is wrong. Make an introductory speech (only note-cards allowed on the day-of) just like a lawyer might do in a criminal case. Closing Statement Reiterate your opening arguments and remind the jury why the evidence they saw and heard in the trial should convince them to take your side. Make a closing speech (only note- cards allowed on the day-of) just like a lawyer might do in a criminal case. You can add in new information during the trial to make your closing statement stronger. Direct Examination Ask your own questions that allow them to enter evidence that will help your case. Ask questions like: What did Ms. Anzaldua write on page 33? Or How do you interpret this quote? Cross Examination Ask the other side s questions that will somehow undermine their argument; your goal is to make the other side look unprepared, illogical, or incompetent. Ask questions like: What evidence supports your interpretation? Or Why does this evidence prove your point?
Witness What do you do? How do you do it? First, Then, Maybe, Read quotes to enter Explain how evidence them into evidence; (quotes) supports your analyze the quotes to side s overall explain their meaning argument. and significance. Gather quotes and enter them into evidence; then, when your own side s lawyer asks you questions, respond directly using the quotes that you ve selected and offering analysis of what each quote means. When asked a question by your own lawyer, answer directly and make connections between the evidence and your argument. Read quotes from sources other than the book: these will be limited to 2 per side. Gather quotes and enter them into evidence; then, when your own side s lawyer asks you questions, respond directly using the quotes that you ve selected and offering analysis of what each quote means.
Research Assistant What should you look for? How will you turn in this work? For Witnesses Help them find relevant quotes. Help them analyze quotes. Help them connect these quotes to your side s argument. You, along with, will create Evidence Files that include quotes, images, or any other relevant material; these files must be digital and turned in to me (the judge) before the trial starts. For Attorneys opening and closing statements. questions to ask your witness. questions to ask the other side s. Help with outlines, factchecking, and proofreading.
Jurors What will you do? What will you turn in? During the trial Pay careful attention to each side s argument, take notes, and decide guilt or innocence. After the trial is finished, I will clear the courtroom so that the jury can deliberate, debate, and come to a final decision; then, the jury will prepare a brief statement declaring and explaining their verdict to the court. After the trial Write a Short Response (1 page long) that summarizes the trial and explains why you as an individual, not the whole jury, decided on guilt or innocence. 1 Page, typed and printed, following MLA format, Due one week after the trial.