Personal Narrative: Mock Trial

The article begins by investigating the rise in defence counsel in English criminal trials. Prior to the 18th century, English criminal trials were short, and centred on the defendant’s “natural response to evidence as they heard it for the first time” (223). In an era of discretionary justice being administered by judges and juries, defence

“The next thing I knew I had been tasered by this robocop!” I yell across the courtroom at another high school student. This was certainly something I never expected to say, but Mock Trial has put me into situations outside of my comfort zone many times before. I did not think that being dragged to a Mock Trial meeting by a friend would lead me to something I feel so passionate about, but Mock Trial quickly became my favorite after school activity and a great way for me to explore my love for public speaking. This club let me play both the roles of a frail and cranky old women who had been tasered by a cop and a defense attorney fighting for the future of high school baseball player. Neither of these things is how I envision myself, but it became a great creative outlet for me. During my time in Mock Trial I have been able to attend multiple

Everyone around saw me as a grateful creature, a frank-hearted, happy, and gentle person. Is that why I was taken advantage of? Is that why the murderer did not come forward? I feel that I had given the opportunity in the murderer’s hand to take advantage of me. My kindness in the world has betrayed me. My love and support toward people is what has led me to stand in this trial. I feel no guilt inside. Only innocence stands. The only sorrow I feel is

Building on this interest, I took part in the National Bar Mock Trial competition which gave me a valuable insight into the important roles of assessing a criminal case in court. This led me to undertake work experience in a solicitor's firm, where I shadowed a criminal lawyer. I observed client consultations, and had an attempt to draft legal documents and

“Mock Trial is kinda what is sounds like. You are arguing a case that you get every year, and you split up into plaintiff and defense,” says Michael Triantafilou ‘17, a four year veteran to the program. Mock Trial at St. X is quite unlike any others extracurricular activities. The program allows students to act as lawyers and witnesses as they learn about the legal system. At St. X, there are five teams, allowing around fifty people to participate in the program, as opposed to other schools, who will struggle to have one or two teams. There are also fourteen practicing legal advisers who teach the students about law and help them prepare their case. Students in Mock Trial receive a new

Floundering through stacks of beige manila folders, I gathered yellow papers containing facts and statistics. With anxiety and nervousness as my adversaries, I articulately spoke point after point against the other team’s arguments. Echoing off of the walls of the room, I declared “next,” “case,” “off case,” and “DA” after reading my evidence. Within a team, I was debating public policy with another team of people in hopes of persuading the ever-so-quiet judge to rule in favor of my plan over the other team. As the clock ticked for the eighth time, I ended my lengthy speech and announced, “ready for cross examination.” The opponents stood up and attempted to find holes in my logic through extensive inquisition. Yet, I did not relent; with

It is halfway through the trial and I am exhausted. I haven't done anything except for sitting in a chair handcuffed. There are many words running through my mind. When O’brien yelled at me and told me to get my act together, I felt a sense of sorrow. I don't know what I did wrong. Petrocelli tells everyone that since I was in the store at the time of the robbery, I was part of the gang. I knew the people in the gang, but I wasn't part of it. Why would I join a killing gang? I would never in a million years let my family down. Right now, I am sitting in my bed contemplating what I am going to say for my testimony. Do I tell the truth? Do I tell the jury what they want to hear? I think I shield just wing it. Tell them from the bottom of my heart that I am innocent. It will be hard but not impossible.

Along with discovering another actor in the courtroom, I witnessed a trial were both the defendant and the witness were in custody during that trial. During this case, two sheriffs were required to be in the court room. The case was a very interesting case because the girl in custody (witness), had her house and car windows broken out by the defendant

I look out from the witness stand and watch a mass of eager faces turn to me, eyein’ me as if they could control my words with their piercing stares. Looking down at my conventional business suit, I no longer feel that I’m powerful and in control as I do every other day; I miss my familiar long boots, studded belt, and lumber jacket that I wear as the county sheriff. I think of all of the other fulfillin’ ways I could spend my day, rather’n being stuffed in this sweltering courtroom with dozens of other people. I grip my hands together so fiercely that my knuckles become white and numb while I’m scrutinizin’ every syllable uttered by the state attorney Mr. Gilmer. The odd cast in his eye makes me feel like he’s studyin’ me from head-to-toe.

On the trial that we did role play the classroom was organised into a Crown Court. There was one judge, witnesses, one clerk, some of students were jury, there was one usher and two lawyers, one lawyer was a defendant lawyer while the other lawyer was the prosecution lawyer, and there were media and also there was a defendant who was the

A mock trial is essential to those who are majoring in political science, or anyone who wants to practice public speaking. Mock trials are designed to imitate lower- court trials and these

Out of all my court room experiences, the one that I learned the most in was the preliminary hearing which was CF 17-3297, State vs. Jose. The preliminary trial was held for Jose Mascote, with Judge Kevin McCoy residing. Mascote’s defending attorney was Mike Arnett and the Assistant District Attorney, Dan Gridley, was present on behalf of the state. During this hearing I was truly able to grasp the notion that with all preliminary hearings and trials the lawyers use their words, witnesses, and evidence to paint a story in your mind of the scenario that occurred.

During my Sophomore year, my English teacher decided to do a mock trial project. We were to work with a group of three in attempts to either defend or prosecute characters for their crime based on the novel. My prosector team were only made with me and two other boys. We first began to devise a plan about which characters each prosecutor would be using. We all agree on the plan and how the process was arrange. And with explicit repetition, we had finalize what the performance would be. I spend several days researching each of my characters in hopes to make powerful statements. During the course of the week, there was no notice of change in plan, and everything would appears to run smoothly. After all the preparation, it would seem as though I was ready, and with excitement I step into the courtroom.

A lawyer is the team coach, with a goal of bringing his team to victory and aiding the witnesses on the opposing team lose. Simple questions help the jurors perceive witnesses as credible, as the witness is likely to be adept at answering simple questions immediately; one hundred percent of jurors used the witness response time as a factor to determine witness accuracy (Kebbell). Thus, simple yes and no questions may be an excellent tactic for your team: “On average, mock jurors reported having higher confidence in witness accuracy for those in the simple [question] condition … than complex [question](Kebbell).” Winning the case is easy if the jurors trust your witnesses. Lawyers should pick witnesses that respond swiftly under cross-examination

Going into this particular assignment I wasn’t really sure what to expect or even where I needed to go to see an interesting case mainly because I had never been to the County building before or observed a courtroom proceeding before. However, I went this past Thursday to try to watch and see what I could learn. When I arrived to the county building I wasn’t sure where the courtrooms were so I was kind of wandering around. After a few minutes a man approached me and asked what I was there for and I told him to observe a courtroom for a class so he directed me to the info office for further help. After explaining to them why I was there an officer told me Courtroom 4 which is the Major Felony court had some interesting cases so I should go there. Throughout the duration of this paper I will explain in detail the five different cases that I observed while I was there.