Mock Trial Fall 2024 

                   Nashville State Community College Course Objectives Covered in Mock Trial 

• Integrate sources appropriate to the thesis (argument). 

• Craft logical arguments and address counterarguments.

• Use an academic voice (third person, objective), rather than first person, in most or all written work.

• Explicate assigned course materials, identifying rhetorical techniques 

• Analyze arguments and recognize logical fallacies.

• Employ a variety of sentence structures

• Combine a variety of sources, both primary and secondary. 

• Incorporate scholarly sources as appropriate.

Mock Trial Schedule 

1) Assign roles:  3 prosecuting attorneys, 3 defense attorneys, 3 prosecuting witnesses, 3 defense witnesses; 4 legal assistants

2) Read through the facts of the case 

3) Each side creates & submits a theory of the case (argument) paper (2+)    THE ARGUMENT CLAIMS      

4) Craft & submit opening statements paper  (1+) 

5) Compose questions for direct and cross examinations; submit paper (2+) 

6) Rules of Evidence/Objections (take notes)     THE ARGUMENT'S PREMISES         POTENTIAL FALLACIES=OBJECTIONS 

7) Craft closing arguments; submit paper (1+)      THE ARGUMENT'S CONCLUSION 

8) Practice Trial; (rehearsal) 

9) Go to Mock Court (Court Room in Vocational Building; Students will dress for court) 

10) Reflection Paper (3+)  METACOGNITION PAPER 

American Mock Trial Association Handbook https://www.collegemocktrial.org/AMTA.%20Handbook%20(updated%202022-23).pdf

Steps in a Trial s3.amazonaws.com/store.streetlaw.org/steps_in_a_trial_lesson_2_classroom_guide_to_mock_trials_streetlaw.pdf?ga_category_resource_type=curriculum-set&ga_category_resource_type_child=legislative-hearing&ga_grade_level=hs-9-12 

Opening Statements

https://s3.amazonaws.com/store.streetlaw.org/opening_statements_lesson_5_classroom_guide_to_mock_trials_streetlaw.pdf?ga_category_resource_type=curriculum-set&ga_category_resource_type_child=legislative-hearing&ga_grade_level=hs-9-12

Composing Questions

https://s3.amazonaws.com/store.streetlaw.org/composing_questions_lesson_6_classroom_guide_to_mock_trials_streetlaw.pdf?ga_category_resource_type=curriculum-set&ga_category_resource_type_child=legislative-hearing&ga_grade_level=hs-9-12

Rules of Evidence

https://s3.amazonaws.com/store.streetlaw.org/rules_of_evidence_lesson_7_classroom_guide_to_mock_trials_streetlaw.pdf?ga_category_resource_type=curriculum-set&ga_category_resource_type_child=legislative-hearing&ga_grade_level=hs-9-12

Procedures for Evidence

https://s3.amazonaws.com/store.streetlaw.org/procedures_for_evidence_lesson_8_classroom_guide_to_mock_trials_streetlaw.pdf?ga_category_resource_type=curriculum-set&ga_category_resource_type_child=legislative-hearing&ga_grade_level=hs-9-12

Closing Arguments  https://www.mocktrialstrategies.com/closing-argument/

How to be a Juror https://www.findlaw.com/criminal/criminal-law-basics/what-is-the-role-of-a-jury-in-a-criminal-case.html

Time Sheet https://www.mnbar.org/docs/default-source/mock-trial-forms/sample-timekeeping-worksheet.pdf?sfvrsn=3b31752_0

                             Mock Trial Performance Rubrics 

https://s3.amazonaws.com/store.streetlaw.org/the_mock_trial_lesson_11_classroom_guide_to_mock_trials_streetlaw.pdf?ga_category_resource_type=curriculum-set&ga_category_resource_type_child=legislative-hearing&ga_grade_level=hs-9-12

                  Writing Your Mock Trial Debrief/Metacognition 

Write a 2+ page paper debriefing the trial and your role in it. Explain how you met the course objectives for NSCC, especially crafting logical arguments and counter arguments as well as integrating sources appropriate to thesis.  Explain how you preformed your role and how you prepared for this trial. Must be in MLA format. NSCC rubric applied. You may use the questions below to guide your reflection; however, you do not have to answer all of the questions. 

I. Juror Metacognition 

3. • What was the charge against the defendant?

   • What issues were raised in the case?

   • What were the arguments of each attorney?

   • Why did they make these arguments?

   • What evidence was presented for each side?

   • What facts, evidence or arguments were not presented?

   • What was the decision of the court?

   • Why was that decision reached?

   • What specific contributions did I make as a juror/time keeper/baliff?