Finish writing your trial “transcript”• Each side will have a specific amount of time to present their opening

argument (1-2 minutes).• The prosecution will then call their witness(es) to the stand. During this

time, the prosecution will ask questions that the “witness” will respond to using specific quotes/situations from the play*. The witness may only refer to things specifically said/shown/done in the play. Once the prosecution has finished, the defense attorney may ask 1-2 cross examination questions the witness must respond to (total 7 minutes for all witnesses).

• Once the prosecution “rests” the defense will call their witness to the stand and do the same thing the prosecution did: asks/answers questions, and then is cross-examined by prosecuting attorney (7 minutes).

• Each side will then have 1 minute to give their closing argument.*`Cite your evidence in your script- you will not have to say it during the trial. Citation format (IV.iii) means Act 4 Scene 3. If it’s a direct line, you add the line numbers (IV.iii.1-20).

Opening Statement• The opening statement is 1-2 minutes long. I will stop you at the 2 minute mark. • Required information within the opening statement:

– Prosecution: the charges and a brief overview of why (connection of the action to the legal definition).

“We will prove that _____ willfully, and intentionally set out to end the life of _____, and for this reason, we are charging him/her with 2nd degree murder. These actions set in motion events that then led to the death of ______, and we are therefore also charging him/her with involuntary manslaughter for that death. We will be able to clearly show that not only was he/she fully aware of the situation and the consequences of his/her action, but we will also hear from witnesses that can attest to the events, causes, and consequences…..”

– Defense: what the defendant is being charged with, and why those charges are false. Overview of what you will be presenting within the trial.

“We are here today because the prosecution believes that our client is guilty of 2nd degree murder in the death of ______, and involuntary manslaughter of ____. This is just simply not the case. Through witness testimony and facts, we will prove, to you the jury, that he/she was not mentally capable of making a logical decision when faced with an angry and vicious attacker. He/she had no other choice but to defend him/herself against an attack, not brought on my our client, but rather the so called victim. We will then prove that there were no decisions or actions that could constitute negligence, and without proof of negligence and willful disregard for logical consequence, our client can not be convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the death of ____.”

Examination

• Questions with responses for the witnesses- written out. You can make it a word for word script, or a bulleted list (if the “witness” is comfortable with improvisation). Cite your evidence (though you won’t be required to orally during the trial).

Cross Examination

• The cross examination questions are designed to either impugn the character/witness, or to invalidate some evidence provided within the testimony (make the witness answer a question that can call into question the evidence provided).

• You can not ask “did you kill…?”

Closing Argument• This is one minute long, and attempts to make a final connection

between the evidence provided and the verdict you are looking for. • “Members of the jury, you heard testimony from 2 witnesses that

were eye witnesses to the death of ____ and they have stated that it was ____ not our client who started the fight that ended in his death. For that reason, and that reason alone, it is clear that our client is not liable for this death. You have also heard from our client himself that provided his motivation and state of mind at the time of the supposed murder…. With all of the evidence, it doesn’t matter if the prosecution proves that it was our client’s hand that brought on the fatal blow; all that matters is that the law states that 2nd degree murder requires that one is of a clear mind, and we have shown this is just simply not the case. So you must do what the law demands and find our client not guilty of 2nd degree murder.“

Day of trial scoring

• I will be paying attention to 3 things: understanding of cause and effect as shown by the evidence you have provided and the correlation to the trial; demonstrating evaluation of applicable and strong evidence as shown in the choice of evidence and witnesses; knowledge of the play, as demonstrated by your active participation in the trial*

*Witnesses will demonstrate this through the responses to the cross examination questions. Lawyers will demonstrate this through the recognition of inaccuracies presented by the other side (if any), as well as the applicability of the cross examination questions chosen.

Jury Participation points

• You will be required to participate in 3 juries to earn the full participation points (about 1 per trial day).

• You will be given a form to fill out with evidence presented within the trial to then use during deliberation.