Suncoast Credit Union

As a teacher in the Criminal Justice Academy at Lely High School, I teach about our court system and trial process. I also coach our competitive Mock Trial Team. To further deepen students' knowledge about the courts and the roles of the participants in a trial, I conduct Mock Trials using students to fill the roles of court officials. Students perform their roles using the techniques they learned in our criminal justice class. The impact of Mock Trials on our class is measured by successfully attaining the following objectives:
To promote greater understanding of and appreciation for the law, court procedures, and the judicial system.
To improve basic life skills, such as critical thinking, reading, speaking, and advocacy.
To improve communication and cooperation among students, teachers, legal professionals, and citizens.
To heighten appreciation for the principle of equal justice for all.
To promote an awareness of current legal issues.
To promote the exchange of ideas among students from throughout the state of Florida.

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How to conduct a Mock Trial!

School:
Lely High 
Subject:
Other 
Teacher:
Maureen DeLacy 
Students Impacted:
200 
Grade:
9-12 
Date:
September 7, 2021

Investor

Thank you to the following investor for funding this grant.

 

Naples on the Gulf Chapter, NSSDAR - $163.69

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Impact to My Classroom

# of Students Impacted: 180

Mock Trial teaches essential skills such as public speaking, critical thinking, and the art of forming a persuasive, cohesive argument. Competing students practice and improve their skills in the areas of oral advocacy, fact development, legal analysis, witness examination, and trial advocacy. Preparing for the competitions in teams, students learn how to work collaboratively with their peers. Students who participate in Mock Trial gain analytical skills from analyzing cases and facts, and learn how to compose effective arguments and respond to questions or disputes. Mock Trial also provides a rewarding and memorable experience of interaction with other students, schools, and legal professionals.

 

We simulated criminal case from a previous High School Florida Mock Trial competition. Students assumed the roles of Prosecutor, Defense Attorney, Witnesses, Experts, Defendant, Bailiff, Jury, Judge, and Court Reporter.
Students prepared for trial using sworn statements and physical evidence that were included in the case packet. Attorneys wrote opening and closing statements and prepared questions for direct examination and cross-examination of witnesses. Witnesses memorized their sworn statements to prepare to testify in court.  Jurors listened to the testimony and deliberated to come to a verdict based on the evidence. All Florida Court rules and procedures were followed.

Students established the following key elements to prepare for trial:
The Theory of the Case, the Elements of the Case to be proven, the Case Theme, Witness Analysis, Exhibit Analysis, Burden of Proof, and Creating a story about events of the case.


I was very pleased with the outcome of our Mock Trial experience.  My students were movitated to learn their roles and courtroom procedures. My students dressed for their roles and assumed professional decorum when performing in court.
 
I believe the Mock Trial left an indelible impression on my students as to the formality of court and the strict rules of evidence,  It reinforced many of the criminal justice frameworks that we have studied in class.  My students collaborated on the Plaintiff and Defense sides to build their case and examine witnesses.  Witnesses prepared to be questioned by attorneys for plaintiff and defense and overcame their fears of public speaking.  I am so very proud of them!
 
My students are looking forward to our next mock trial!


 

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Lely High School Mock Trial Team 2022

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Lely High School Mock Trial Team 2nd Place

 

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Mock Trial Competition 2022

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Mock Trial Team 2021

 

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Mock Trial Team 2021

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Collier County Courthouse

 

Original Grant Overview

Goal

As a teacher in the Criminal Justice Academy at Lely High School, I teach about our court system and trial process. I also coach our competitive Mock Trial Team. To further deepen students' knowledge about the courts and the roles of the participants in a trial, I conduct Mock Trials using students to fill the roles of court officials. Students perform their roles using the techniques they learned in our criminal justice class. The impact of Mock Trials on our class is measured by successfully attaining the following objectives:
To promote greater understanding of and appreciation for the law, court procedures, and the judicial system.
To improve basic life skills, such as critical thinking, reading, speaking, and advocacy.
To improve communication and cooperation among students, teachers, legal professionals, and citizens.
To heighten appreciation for the principle of equal justice for all.
To promote an awareness of current legal issues.
To promote the exchange of ideas among students from throughout the state of Florida.
 

 

What will be done with my students

A criminal case from a previous High School Florida Mock Trial is selected. Students will assume the roles of Prosecutor, Defense Attorney, Witnesses, Experts, Defendant, Bailiff, Jury, and Judge.

Students will prepare for the trial using sworn statements and physical evidence that has been submitted for use in the trial. Students must prepare for direct examination and cross-examination. Jurors must deliberate and come to a verdict based on the evidence. All Florida Court rules and procedures will be followed.

Key Elements to Case Preparation

Theory of the Case: A short succinct statement of an advocate’s position that justifies the verdict he or she is seeking.

Elements of the Case: Components of the case that have to be proved to prevail.

Case Themes: Words, phrases and ideas that evoke emotions and help communicate the case story to jurors so they can make sense of the evidence and testimony they see and hear.

Witness Analysis: The strengths, weaknesses, and key testimony of each witness.

Exhibit Analysis: The strengths, weaknesses, and key aspects of each exhibit.

Burden of Proof:
Criminal Case: Prosecution must prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt
Civil Case: Plaintiff must prove their case by a preponderance of the evidence

Creating a story: Crafting a compelling, consistent, and believable story about what happened from your side’s point of view.  

 

Benefits to my students

Mock Trial teaches essential skills such as public speaking, critical thinking, and the art of forming a persuasive, cohesive argument. Competing students practice and improve their skills in the areas of oral advocacy, fact development, legal analysis, witness examination, and trial advocacy. Preparing for the competitions in teams, students learn how to work collaboratively with their peers. Students who participate in Mock Trial gain analytical skills from analyzing cases and facts, and learn how to compose effective arguments and respond to questions or disputes. Mock Trial also provides a rewarding and memorable experience of interaction with other students, schools, and legal professionals.
 

 

Budget Narrative

To implement a Mock Trial in our classroom, I will arrange the tables and chairs in a courtroom layout with a podium for the judge, tables for prosecutor and defense, and chairs to simulate a jury box. I am requesting a black graduation gown to be used as the judge's robe, a gavel and block for the judge, and the book titled, "Winning at Trial" by Shane Read that provides easy-to-understand rules and strategies for attorneys and witnesses in a trial. I sincerely appreciate any assistance provided for the purchase of these items for our classroom Mock Trial. Thank you! Lely High School Criminal Justice Academy! 

 

Items

# Item Cost
1 Graduation Gown (Black) for Judge's Robe $23.99
2 Wooden Gavel and Block for Courtroom Prop $19.99
3 Winning at Trial by Shane Read (Book) $109.00
4 Tax $10.71
  Total: $163.69

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Special Thanks to Our Presenting Partners

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