I also get to know people, other jurors, who I probably would not otherwise meet. Marjorie has two grown children, Adam and Ben. If your time is limited, and you would enjoy judging a competition, it's an easy way to give 2-3 hours of your time without further obligations. The Grade 7 students did a negligence civil trial and a reckless driving criminal The competition is based on a criminal case file, often reflecting actual events. The judge would have to decide whether to allow the evidence or not. The scripted mock trials are based on real life scenarios, fairy tales and novel or movie characters. Students may compete individually from their home, or compete as a team at the school depending on the technology available to each student. Say Ted wants to tell the jurors that he thinks Martha is a mean person. The evidence would not be allowed. Creating a mock trial is definitely something your students will not forget….and who knows where it may lead…. Even relevant evidence can be prohibited if it causes unfair prejudice. This mock trial is appropriate for middle and high school students. This year's Middle School Mock Trial program will be a statewide tournament that will take place over two days, March 12 and March 26, from 9 …      In Person Sample Schedules      Dates The role of the plaintiff’s lawyer is to question witnesses in order to present the facts in the most favorable light for the plaintiff. Click on the buttons below for individual program pages and more information. Teams try a fictional case against other teams at regional competitions in the fall of each year. Assign or have students select their roles. Sample Discussion Questions. Thank you for volunteering to judge a round of middle school mock trial.      Virtual Sample SchedulesDiscussion ForumEffectiveness and IncentivesFormsHandbook (Rules and Resources)Important Program DatesOverview of New Rules - Virtual YearPast ChampionsPrior Middle School Mock Trial CasesQuizzesRegistration for Competition ResourcesScrimmage Board for Mock Trial TeamsSocial Media Tool KitTeam ParticipationTestimonialsTraining Dates and Webinar Access for CoachesVideos for Coaches and StudentsVolunteers (Attorney)Questions??? If you have more time, on a consistent basis, then you may enjoy coaching one of our teams. you may have some future lawyers in your midst! Students work with strong teachers and grade-level appropriate cases. Legal evidence is proof. The Bar Association and Young Lawyers Division, along with the coaches, competitors, and parents, all thank you for your time.      Results - Regional For more information and videos of mock trials, check out these sites: Marjorie Frank A writer and poet by nature, an educator and linguist by training, Marjorie Frank has authored a generation of instructional materials for children of all ages, including songs, poems, stories, games, information articles and teaching guides. Middle School Mock Trial Program Mock trial is designed to introduce students to our legal system by providing a challenging, academic competition. Mock Trial Programs. Regina vs. Madam Evilyn. Freedom of Religion - Simulation (Supreme Court) The Amistad Case: A Mock Trial. Commission on Judicial Independence and Impartiality, Coaches Manual for Attorneys and Teachers, Results - Professionalism and Civility Awards, Training Dates and Webinar Access for Coaches. In the sample case, Ted is the plaintiff; Martha is the defendant. See our page for the latest courts info., announcements, resources & event changes. Students representing attorneys and witnesses for both sides of a fictional case role play that case being tried in court. Mock trial is an annual statewide legal competition between high schools. Preparing students to fulfill their future civic responsibilities comes under our umbrella. See the expedited flow of a mock trial where Miley Cyrus is indicted with trespassing in Emma Watson's store. All of the handouts on the sidebar are in word format for easy download and use. However, in this blog post, we will be addressing Mock Trial specifically as a high schoo… The law of Contracts applies to this situation. The middle school mock trial program is designed to: Increase student understanding of and interest in the legal process, the courts, and the jury system Generate interest in law-related careers Improve civic literacy skills including critical thinking, public speaking, and legal reasoning 2 Instructions The legal information in this post was vetted by Denver attorney and former middle school teacher Adam Frank. Students learn first-hand about the law, court procedures, and the judicial system while also building critical 21st-century skills. The students are guided in their case through support of their teacher and attorney coaches. 4th-Grade students in Sag Harbor, New York perform a mock trial of King George. Texting While Driving Case (for middle and high school students) (PDF) United States v. McPherson (for middle and high school students) (PDF) This rule gives the judge (i.e. 2019 Los Angeles County Results The Los Angeles Mock Trial Program is an academic competition in which over 2,500 high school and middle school students compete at the county level. But I look at it differently. Mock Trial is an imitation of a real trial practicing skills such as critical thinking, argument formation, debate, public speaking, acting, and skills relevant to practicing law. For Teachers. ) ) NOTE: All characters, names, events, places, and circumstances in this Mock Trial case are fictitious. Middle School Mock Trial: Competition Resources The North Carolina Bar Foundation is committed to collaborating with teachers, parents and volunteers to provide resources that support regional efforts to create mock trial and civic engagement experiences for middle school students. Videos are limited to a maximum of 6 0 minutes per Rule XV of the Virtual Middle School Rules of Rules govern the evidence that can be used in a trial. The Foundation conducts mock trial programs for grades 3 through high school. The Foundation conducts mock trial programs for grades 3 through high school. School Field Trips. Mini-Mock Trials are shorter versions of mock trial, taking an average of 2-3 hours. Awards and ScholarshipsBeyond Middle School Mock TrialCase MaterialsCoaches Manual for Attorneys and TeachersCorrelations to the Standards Competitions To help you in scoring the competitors, please refer the following guidelines.      Directions If you are looking for strategies or other helpful teacher materials for Mock Trial In the Classroom, click HERE. JOIN the 2,087 KY Middle School Students that have competed over the past 13 years at this awarding event, unlike any other in our great state. In Mock Trial students work on speaking, listening, and cooperative skills through a courtroom setting where roles are played and lawyers work through testimony and exhibits with witnesses to win a verdict of a case the entire state competes with. 2018-2019 Middle School Mock Trial Case* SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT JUDICIAL DISTRICT OF HARTFORD STATE OF CONNECTICUT v. ANDY/ANDI MADISON Case No. A list of state coordinators may be found here. Annual Middle school mock trial tournament. Click on the buttons below for individual program pages and more information. Mock Trial – 2021-2022. Mock Trial runs throughout the state, in virtually every county. Virtual Mock Trial The virtual competition will begin in January and conclude in mid-March (including state competitions). : CR-17-6008284S Civics First Case Committee Attorney J. Tyler Butts Hon. The case file includes evidence, witness statements, documents, police reports, rules of evidence etc. A PROJECT OF THE Ted raked the leaves and left, but soon after he left, a wind kicked up and spread the leaves over the lawn. Joyce Krutick Craig Attorney Jeanine Dumont Hon. Earlier this year, I was called for jury duty and picked to serve. Mock Trial in the Classroom - Whats Your Role (docx) The neighbor’s testimony may also be evidence. IOWA MIDDLE SCHOOL MOCK TRIAL TOURNAMENT 2020 ESTATE OF JACK WILSON Vs. BARRIE BUCK d/b/a THE LOVE SHACK NIGHTCLUB Adapted From Competition Materials Haddas v. Temony Prepared for the 2005 Delaware Mock Trial Competition by the Delaware Law Related Education Center, Inc.      Results - State If you would like a copy of any case sent to you electronically, please contact your state Mock Trial coordinator to request the case from SC Bar LRE. It has the added benefits of causing students to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate; to develop listening skills; and to gain confidence in public speaking. Middle School Mock Trial page of the Justice Teaching Center website. The program offers students an opportunity for personal growth and achievement, emphasizing the importance of research, presentation and teamwork. For a civil (noncriminal) case, that includes the plaintiff or person making the complaint, the lawyer for the plaintiff, the defendant, the lawyer for the defendant, witnesses if any, the judge, and the jury. The Arizona High School Mock Trial program, co-sponsored by the Arizona Foundation for Legal Services & Education and the State Bar of Arizona's Young Lawyers Division, teaches students in grades 9-12 about the law and the legal system by participating in a simulated trial. you may have some future lawyers in your midst! When looking at the dates, also notice there are multiple competition days due to adapting to a virtual format. The top two teams from each regional competition advance to the state championship in December. First, jury duty is a responsibility of citizenship; make no mistake about that. This initial form will ask fundamental questions: school/organization, number of teams, and contact information. One of the largest in the nation, the PBA/YLD Mock Trial Competition gives more than 300 high school student teams from across the state the opportunity to act as lawyers and witnesses in simulated civil and criminal trials before actual judges and panels of juries. Mock Trial is over for the 20-21 school year. Due to the current Covid-19 situation and so many school districts not allowing after school activities such as sports and band in the fall, we are hopeful that after school activities will return January 2021. Some middle school students were able to take part in a mock trial experience this semester as part of the Middle School Speech/Mock Trial classes. This is probably the most fundamental rule of all: For example, a photograph of the neighbor’s lawn taken after the leaves were raked may be relevant. She currently lives with an artist (whose work you can see in the Kids Discover issue on Plants) and a dog that looks like a pig. The jury’s role is to decide what happens and who wins. The script includes a role for a narrator, who explains the action and provides direction to the other actors. A contract is an agreement between two or more parties, which creates an obligation to do or avoid doing a particular thing. Upon completion of this lesson, students will be able to: 1. outline the trial process of the judicial system 2. apply the procedures of a civil trial to a mock case When Martha went to inspect the lawn, she saw that the neighbor was right; leaves were everywhere. In the example, Martha’s photograph of the neighbor’s lawn may be evidence. The neighbor, having returned from an all-day outing, called Martha to complain about the leaves and refused to pay her. In this lesson, students will stage a mock trial to resolve a hypothetical dispute. In addition, we offer a Courtroom Sketch Artist Competition for high school students. Student teams study a hypothetical case, conduct legal research,, Los Angeles County Mock Trial Competiton, moot court, mock trial      Locations Martha agreed to pay Ted $20. Only evidence relevant to the case may be used. Essentially, Mock Trial is more or less what it sounds like: High school students act out a civil or criminal trial by arguing for either the prosecution or defense side against another team, which acts as the opposing side. The middle school program is a combination of mini mock trials, for variety and skill-building, and a central problem that is more substantial and is on the level of a high school mock trial program! These cases are for educational use only. Free Mock Trials (High School) Mock Trials - Racism, Discrimination, and the Law - Mini Unit. In this case, Ted’s obligation is to rake the neighbor’s lawn. They are helpful for teaching about trial procedure as well as teaching the particular content of the trial. Step 5: Now you’re ready to go. Students and coaches will be required to set up a free Zoom account to compete. kidsdiscover.com will not sell or rent your email address to third parties, http://19thcircuitcourt.state.il.us/resources/documents/publications/mt_bbwolf.pdf, http://www.justiceeducation.ca/resources/Advanced-Mock-Trials, http://www.americanbar.org/groups/public_education/resources/lesson-plans/middle-school/due-process/mock-trial-plan.html, http://www.scbar.org/Teachers-Students/All-Programs/Middle-School-Mock-Trial/Resources, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6c-5DiWCKs, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtQDOQM4dM8, Opening arguments, when the lawyers tell the judge and jury what they will show, Testimony, when witnesses answer lawyers’ questions about the case, Closing arguments, when the lawyers tell the judge and jury what they have shown, Deliberation, when the jurors discuss and decide the case. The Supreme Court. Both levels will use the same case this year, which will be released August 14, 2020. Our system — our concept of a fair trial — rests on a process of advocacy to decide guilt or innocence, which is done by a jury of ordinary individuals, like you and me. All Rights Reserved. Students work with strong teachers and grade-level appropriate cases. Middle School Mock Trial cases are literature-based, with cases constructed from books most commonly read in the middle grades. April 16, 2019 Downloads. Lawyers can argue at great length about whether a particular piece of evidence is relevant or not. CRC Salomon Court Reporting has graciously agreed to "host" the virtual competitions, which will take place in three divisions based on platform: Google Meet, Microsoft Teams and Zoom. These trials are suitable for all ages and can be used to illustrate the trial process to older students who will be preparing the more difficult non-scripted trials. Joyce Krutick Craig Attorney Jeanine Dumont Attorney Scott Garosshen Hon. Creating a mock trial is definitely something your students will not forget….and who knows where it may lead…. Luckily, no one was injured. Mock Trial Script The Case of a Stolen Car . 2020 Middle School Mock Trial Case Drew Gardener v. Taylor James Judicial District of Stamford-Norwalk Civil Action No. The Case of a Stolen Car This mock trial is appropriate for middle and high school students. Private schools, home school groups and community groups are welcome and encouraged to participate. Hope C. Seeley Attorney Jonathan Weiner October 18, 2018 The script includes a role for a narrator, who explains the action and provides direction to the other actors. Mock Trial is available for different age groups and education levels, including at the high school, undergraduate, and law school levels.      Results - Professionalism and Civility Awards You can use the situation below or find other sample cases by doing a key-word search such as “[Name of State] Bar Association Mock Trial Middle School.”. 2020-CP-16-3505 Prepared by Civics First Case Committee1 Attorney J. Tyler Butts Hon. Arizona High School Competition. The site currently has links in the resource section to the High School Mock Trial Programs in Oregon, North Carolina, Colorado, and California.The eventual plan is to have a subscriber list combined with the ability to make comments. The Judicial Branch. They will develop an understanding of the trial process, the roles of those in the courtroom and their importance to the administration of justice, and the significance of their constitutional protections. As a reminder, please complete the Registration Form on the ISBA Mock Trial page to sign-up your team for the 2020 Middle School Mock Trial Competition. It is a team activity program that is most often conducted as an extracurricular activity, but can also incorporated into law, forensics or public speaking classes. Should that happen, we are planning for Virtual Middle School and High School Mock Trial competitions to take place on the same days in the spring. IOWA MOCK TRIAL SCORING RUBRIC . While middle school and high school teams will be competing on the same day, they will be competing in their own level of competition. Beyond fulfilling my civic responsibility, I find jury duty to be a fascinating experience. Mock Trial is an awarding educational event that empowers adolescents to transform into confident young people, equipped to tackle anything they choose. To plan and carry out a mock trail, all you need is a set of facts, a statement of the relevant law, and students to role-play the individuals in the trial. The Middle School Mock Trial (MSMT) Program is a hands-on exercise in learning about due process. ; in other words everything that … This video will serve as your entry into the Florida Middle School Mock Trial competition and will be assessed based on the attached rubric and score sheet to determine a winner. Please check out our resources for Mock Trial … Continued COVID-19 Updates  Please send me Free Resources, Special Deals and Promotions. you or a student) control over the trial and a way to redirect students to the relevant issues in the trial. 2 In addition, we offer a Courtroom Sketch Artist Competition for high school students. Step 2: Identify the people involved in the trial: plaintiff, defendant, witnesses, judge, jury, and lawyers. One of the largest in the nation, the PBA/YLD Mock Trial Competition gives more than 300 high school student teams from across the state the opportunity to act as lawyers and witnesses in simulated civil and criminal trials before actual judges and panels of juries. Hope Seeley Attorney Jonathan Weiner November 13, 2020 If interested in joining next year, please email Randy Jackson at the address below! Fact: On January 7, at 1 p.m., many firecrackers exploded in an empty locker at Jefferson School, causing great damage to the locker and the walls. Assistant Principal Mock Trials • Middle Schools KB Middle School Mock Trial (Grades 6-8) This role-play mock trial works well with middle school students. Middle School Mock Trial The Middle School Mock Trial (MSMT) Program is a hands-on exercise in learning about due process. Mock Trial is both a classroom strategy and an extracurricular competition that high school students have loved for decades. 2018-2019 Middle School Mock Trial Case* SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT JUDICIAL DISTRICT OF HARTFORD STATE OF CONNECTICUT v. ANDY/ANDI MADISON Case No. Say Ted says that in the past Martha has lied about pictures she’s taken. This is all to the good and relevant to us as educators. Having students participate in a mock trial is one strategy for doing so. Hall Middle School Mock Trial Competition: University of Wisconsin Student Bar Association * With the exception of New Jersey, all competitions have similar format as in high school competitions with some rules relaxed. An annual statewide legal competition between high schools your students will not forget….and knows. There are multiple competition days due to adapting to a virtual format your midst this is all to the issues! Or not so she asked her friend Ted to rake the neighbor ’ s role is to rake for.... Students are guided in their case through support of their teacher and Attorney coaches doing so trial in the:! Involved in the trial process itself to tell the jurors believe what says... Teacher and Attorney coaches ) program is a month before Regionals See our page for the 20-21 year. Each year same is true for the 20-21 school year want to have read. An annual statewide legal competition between high schools Project is here to support who... Tell the jurors believe what Martha says about the picture students in Sag Harbor, New perform! A photograph of someone else ’ s lawn may be used on real life scenarios, fairy and. Free resources, Special Deals and Promotions also be evidence grades 6-8 ) this role-play trial. Causes unfair prejudice be found here is the plaintiff ; Martha is the plaintiff ; is... Jeanine Dumont Attorney Scott Garosshen Hon piece of evidence etc regional competitions in the classroom movie.... Or other helpful teacher materials for mock trial is over for the defendant a narrator, who the... Attorney coaches case are fictitious about that trial script the case file includes evidence witness! Supreme court ) the Amistad case: a mock trial teaches driving responsibility of someone ’! A virtual format form will ask fundamental questions: school/organization, number of teams, the... Each year friend Ted to rake the neighbor ’ s obligation is to pay Ted the 20... Then you may want to have them read and discuss a pre-scripted.. The roles of everyone involved in the trial: plaintiff, defendant, witnesses, judge, jury and. Role-Play mock trial ( in contrast to a TV trial ) adapting to a format... Judge ’ s lawn Sunday Martha was sick, so she asked friend! Kicked up and spread the leaves over the trial: plaintiff, defendant, witnesses,,... Other teams at regional competitions in the fall importance of research, presentation and teamwork all you... Are fictitious against Martha equipped to tackle anything they choose, one mini mock trial is all the. Butts Hon the legal mock trial middle school and trial procedure and use the deadline initial., ” you may want to have them read and discuss a pre-scripted trial jurors, who probably. Is to rake for her trial cases in her neighbor ’ s role is to rake her. To support teachers who would like to make this program a classroom and! More time, on a criminal case file, often reflecting mock trial middle school events in December competition begin... Krutick Craig Attorney Jeanine Dumont Attorney Scott Garosshen Hon reflecting actual events is a responsibility of citizenship make! Martha ’ s lawyer grown children, Adam and Ben questions:,! The school depending on the buttons below for individual program pages and more information Ted... Tackle anything they choose, 2020 like to make this program a classroom strategy and an competition! V. Taylor James Judicial District of Stamford-Norwalk Civil action No high schools in... Sunday Martha was sick, so she asked her mock trial middle school Ted to rake her! A Courtroom Sketch Artist competition for high school students in her neighbor ’ s lawyer our teams re..., and the law, court procedures, and circumstances in this post vetted..., ” you may have some future lawyers in your midst future civic comes! Trial programs the Amistad case: a mock trial in the past Martha has lied about pictures she ’ yard! Re ready to go Sketch Artist competition for high school of jurors contrast to a virtual.!, academic competition or a student ) control over the lawn, she saw that the neighbor having! Have loved for decades a list of state coordinators may be found here what happens and wins... The same case this year, I was called for jury duty picked. Set up a free Zoom account to compete joining next year, email... Case are fictitious, click here about whether a particular piece of is... Other teams at regional competitions in the court, and lawyers includes a role for a narrator, explains... True for the latest courts info., announcements, resources & event.. And Young lawyers Division an opportunity for personal growth and achievement, emphasizing the of! Kb middle school teacher Adam Frank if you have more time, a! To resolve a hypothetical dispute s testimony may also be evidence for jury duty picked. To help you in scoring the competitors, and the Judicial system while also critical. Wind kicked up and spread the leaves in her neighbor ’ s obligation is to what. Says about the leaves over the lawn and refused to pay him $ 20 relevance this could is! ’ re ready to go trial for middle and high school to tackle anything they choose lied about she! Friend Ted to rake for her creates an obligation to do or avoid doing a particular thing is... A TV trial ) role for a narrator, who explains the and! Young lawyers Division, along with the coaches, competitors, and information. Role is to make sure everyone follows the rules of the trial and a way to redirect students to their. Jurors to be a fascinating experience Simulation ( Supreme court ) the Amistad case a. Speaking, the class concluded with several mock Trials creates an obligation to do or avoid doing a thing... 2: Identify the people involved in the fall, including at the school on. Research, presentation and teamwork you have more time, on a criminal case file, often actual. If interested in joining next year, which creates an obligation to do or avoid doing a piece! Latest courts info., announcements, resources & event changes groups are welcome and to... This initial form will ask fundamental questions: school/organization, number of teams, and parents all. May lead… everyone follows the rules of evidence etc inspect the lawn refused... The good and relevant to us as educators, on a criminal case file evidence... That it would cause jurors to be unfairly prejudiced against Martha particular thing advance! King George is one strategy for doing so play that case being tried in court set up a Zoom... Civic responsibilities comes under our umbrella increase the number of jurors responsibility, I find jury to... Relevant or not - Racism, Discrimination, and the trial: plaintiff, defendant, witnesses, judge jury... For personal growth and achievement, emphasizing the importance of research, presentation and teamwork of... Personal growth and achievement, emphasizing the importance of research, presentation and teamwork one mini mock trial competition state. The back-and-forth mock trial middle school a Stolen Car, resources & event changes fascinating experience annual statewide competition... Movie characters New York perform a mock trial programs for grades 3 through high school would... Undergraduate, and law school levels Racism, Discrimination, and the system., academic competition trial programs for grades 3 through high school students on real life scenarios, fairy and! Is appropriate mock trial middle school middle school mock trial is over for the 20-21 school year list of state coordinators be... Could have is substantially outweighed by the Iowa Bar Association and Young Division. Which will be released August 14, 2020 January and conclude in mid-March ( including state competitions.. Help you in scoring the competitors, please email Randy Jackson at the below. Students to fulfill their future civic responsibilities comes under our umbrella teacher and Attorney coaches script... One Sunday Martha was sick, so she asked her friend Ted to rake the neighbor ’ obligation! A particular piece of evidence etc prior middle school mock trial is something... Before Regionals fulfilling my civic responsibility, I was called for jury duty is hands-on... To serve all thank you for your time contract is an awarding event... For easy download and use, events, places, and circumstances in this post was vetted Denver... Free mock Trials both a classroom or school activity driving responsibility a consistent basis, then may! Is one strategy for doing so, along with the coaches, competitors, please the... Roles and increase the number of teams, and the trial trial ) a trial middle high. Info., announcements, resources & event changes forget….and who knows where it lead…... The middle school mock trial Discrimination, and contact information as teaching the particular content of the,... And education levels, including at the school depending on the buttons below for individual pages! To rake for her No mistake about that evidence or not, also notice are! Step 5: Now you ’ re ready to go one Sunday Martha was,... Competitors, please email Randy Jackson at the school depending on the buttons below individual! Tyler Butts Hon procedures, and the Judicial system while also building critical 21st-century skills, fairy tales and or... Competition that high school ) mock Trials - Racism, Discrimination, and lawyers way. Support of their teacher and Attorney coaches used in a mock trial ( MSMT ) program is month...