Was it murder, suicide, or something else? Sidney faces years of dependence upon others for assistance, and doubts about a future career. Early Elementary – Mock Trial A; Early Elementary – Mock Trial B; Early Elementary – Mock Trial C; Early Elementary – Mock Trial D Students in grades three through six are invited to create original mock trial cases. The children were left alone win the house and a bullet from the gun permanently paralyzed Jesse. Nationally, students have found themselves suspended or expelled for infractions as benign as bringing a butter knife to school, or pointing a fun-shaped chicken strip at someone during lunch. (Adapted from the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis case The State of Missouri v. Morgan Phillips.). © Copyright 2021 Kids Discover. As part of students’ “training,” you may want to have them read and discuss a pre-scripted trial. Rules govern the evidence that can be used in a trial. 1994 – People of the State of Michigan v. Shelby London Jamie did not choose to do any of these. Most mock trials are available free of charge or a nominal cost. Classroom Law Project is here to support teachers who would like to make this program a classroom or school activity. William’s actions, according to Anderson, violated the state’s civil cyberstalking statute. 1997 – Scott Walker vs. Tanya Brewster The case is a criminal jury trial involving an 18 year old defendant who pleads self-defense after shooting the leg of another 18 year old armed with a baseball bat. 1992 – People v. Pat Green Chuck ended up dead after a fall from a 26-foot clock tower. He further claims that he doesn’t smoke marijuana. 2013 – Phoenix Perdante v Dalton Academy Registration is NOW OPEN for 2018-2019 Mock Trial, James Madison Legacy Project Summer Institute: July 23-27. Martha raked the leaves in her neighbor’s yard every Sunday during the fall. In this Amistad case lesson, students prepare for and participate in a mock trial regarding the Amistad case and determine the fate of the Africans recovered on the ship. 2020 We the People State Showcase and Championship Results! Mock Trials. In the summer of 2003, Chuck went to band camp on a mission… a mission to be accepted onto the line, and to enjoy all of the benefits of the increased social status that came with it. 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.”. 1984 – People of the State of Michigan vs. Chris Beck A photograph of someone else’s lawn is probably not relevant. 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. Fearing a larger problem, Upham had all employees educated on methods to detect counterfeit bills. A mock trial is a pretend trial. Putting on Mock Trials Newly revised and expanded booklet provides information about mock trials, including their value as a learning tool in elementary and secondary classrooms, techniques for recruiting lawyers and judges to assist in mock trials, ideas about mock trial competitions, etc., as well as a number of actual trials, encompassing every grade level and many different kinds of trials. All four had just come from a party where alcohol was available, but Riley denies having had anything to drink and denies texting at the time of the accident. These cases are for educational use only. Lawyers can argue at great length about whether a particular piece of evidence is relevant or not. The spouse, Terry Smith, of a legally incapacitated person, Lee Barker, files a petition to remove the gastrostomy tube on which Lee Barker is dependent for nutrition, which would thus end Lee Barker’s life. Under the amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, added in 1997, procedures were established for schools seeking to discipline and remove a student with exceptional education needs (EEN) from this or her current educational placement or program. Even relevant evidence can be prohibited if it causes unfair prejudice. Case of the Stolen Car Mock Trial Created by staff at the Superior Court of Contra Costa County, this mock trial includes the part of a narrator who explains the proceedings. All Chuck Sherman wanted to do was join the marching band’s drum line. you may have some future lawyers in your midst! For an entire year, I searched for the perfect mock trial for elementary school students until I created this one. The occupants ran from the car. Seeing a bottle of alcohol and an open bottle of pills on the piano, Osiski assumed that Siriusz had accidentally OD’d. Fun for a 17-year-old comes in many forms movies, the beach, bowling, or just hanging out with friends in front of the local Seven-Eleven. Runoff from farms and cities – non-point pollution – is the state of Superior’s greatest cause of water quality problems, degrading or threatening about 40 percent of the fictional State’s streams, about 90 percent of its inland lakes, many Great Lakes harbors and coastal waters, and substantial groundwater and wetland areas. But there would be no school for Nicky Blanc or Jackie Potomski. We are happy to provide these cases from the first 9 years of the tournament which were originally compiled for Michigan High School Mock Trial Manual with support from the Michigan State Bar Foundation. Now Brooks is bringing a civil suit against the security guard, the store, and the police. Ted raked the leaves and left, but soon after he left, a wind kicked up and spread the leaves over the lawn. The cases are judged on the basis of originality and educational value in teaching students about their legal rights and responsibilities. For first-timers, the facts should be fairly straightforward. The burden of proof is on the Petitioner, the State of Michigan, to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that: 1. Materials required: Mock Trial Lesson Plan . (Adapted from Constitutional Rts. Or were they? This year’s case deals with a student whose disability may have manifested itself in the form of behavior that is arguably dangerous to others. Guide to Conducting Mock Trials The mock trial has proven to be an effective learning tool for elementary and secondary school students. Several controversial calls during the big game between in-town rivals made Mitch a very unpopular man with the fans of the losing team. As today’s high school students are well aware, violence and threats of violence in schools are no longer treated lightly. This is all to the good and relevant to us as educators. The defendant has denied the allegations and is asserting that the newspaper article is true. But first, in any course, start by familiarizing students with the process, especially the players in a trial courtroom (prosecutor, defending attorney, juror, bailiff, defendant, witness) and the stages of a trial. The student seeks an injunction ordering the school district to permit the student to wear the button. 1 In 1 Collection Lesson Planet. It required large printing presses and the ability to cut intricate designs by hand into metal plates. Criminal charges were dropped in exchange for Brooks’ agreement to do community service. Chuck didn’t even end up in the band. It helps students develop useful knowledge about the law, questioning techniques, critical thinking, and oral advocacy … In making a mock trial happen, you can follow a plan of action similar to this: Step 1: Discuss the facts of the case and the relevant law with students. I also get to know people, other jurors, who I probably would not otherwise meet. Were the actions of the security guard, the store, and the police justifiable? 1985 – Martin vs. Big Burger When Martha went to inspect the lawn, she saw that the neighbor was right; leaves were everywhere. In the not-too-distant past, counterfeiting was a difficult and expensive endeavor. If the jury finds that the Petitioner proves this, the court will determine th place of confinement. Elementary Mock Trial Elementary Mock Trial is an excellent way to begin to introduce the concepts of justice, and the judiciary through fairy tale trials. Mock Trial. Mock Trial Past Cases. 1998 – In the Matter of Alice Berkley Step 3: Outline the structure or flow of a trial: Step 4: If your students are older, you may want to acquaint them with the concept of evidence. Offers a range of sample mock trial cases for use with elementary and middle school students. School Field Trips. The law of Contracts applies to this situation. The defendant files a motion in Federal Court to suppress this evidence, claiming that the search was not only unreasonable but also violated the defendant’s expectation of privacy under the Fourth Amendment. Students in grades three through six are invited to create original mock trial cases. Police officer arrests a suspect. In the sample case, Ted is the plaintiff; Martha is the defendant. (Adapted from Street Law, Inc: Brooks V. Lawrence & Metro City). Introduction. The neighbor’s testimony may also be evidence. Front-seat-passenger Sidney Young was seriously injured. Wolf v. Curly Pig. Martha’s obligation is to pay him $20 for doing so. Scripted mock trials for elementary students, created by Judge Joan Weber, and Judge Richard G. Cline, Superior Court of San Diego County. A list of state coordinators may be found here. Mock Trial can be an exciting learning opportunity for all students and is a rich and authentic way to bring civic education and participation into the classroom. Sidney has filed a civil suit against Riley seeking compensatory damages. Who is to blame? Students hold a mock trial. Earlier this year, I was called for jury duty and picked to serve. 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. Shawn’s fingerprints were all over the gun and the bullets and Shawn had a long-standing feud with Jackie. The internet is terrific resource for free mock trials scripts for all grade levels. 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. Creating a mock trial is definitely something your students will not forget….and who knows where it may lead…. The plaintiff alleges that the defendant was the person who sent the threatening remarks. 2007 – Brooks v. Lawrence and the Clearwater Police Department This resource can go along side any book. A person in a bar is killed by the bartender who claims self-defense. He also claims that his friend, who smokes marijuana, borrowed his car earlier. A high school teacher who has been fired alleges wrongful termination of employment because of sexual orientation. The evidence would not be allowed. One year was special. Lee’s sibling and parent oppose the petition of Lee’s spouse. This resource can go along side any book. 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. Was Chuck’s death the result of illegal hazing committed by Chris Biggs, the section leader for the drum line, or was it the result of Chuck’s under-age drinking? Did paintball proprietor Chris Schultz engage in negligent conduct that made the game unreasonably dangerous? The plaintiff is Jamie Anderson, a high school senior, who used the school’s chat room as a means to stay on top of her/his academic pursuit of the highly coveted valedictorian scholarship. Mini-Mock Trials are shorter versions of mock trial, taking an average of 2-3 hours. After being release, Brooks spent an additional three to four hours in the hospital for pain and injuries sustained during the incident. Foundation-LA), 2003 – In the Matter of Shelby Withers vs. Clearwater School District The people allege that Osiski was furious over Siriusz’s eleventh-hour decision to cancel a reunion tour that would have provided Osiski with much-needed financial relief. Please send me Free Resources, Special Deals and Promotions. It was the dawn of another day in the sleepy hamlet of Lakeville. But Chuck didn’t end up on the drum line. A student’s possessions are searched in a classroom based on suspicion of theft of a plaque. It helps students develop important knowledge about the law and legal system and it develops critical-thinking and speaking skills. Morgan Phillips is charged with the murder of Mitch Stevens. In the example, Martha’s photograph of the neighbor’s lawn may be evidence. Resources. Prior Middle School Mock Trial Cases. One of the passengers in the backseat claims that Riley was “texting” while driving. General Introduction to Cases (PDF, 1.4 MB), City of Rockville v. Jones (PDF, 6.8 MB) – ordinance violation / First Amendment, People v McGrew (PDF, 4.3 MB) – murder, self-defense, People v Beck (PDF, 3.3 MB) – unlawfully taking an auto, People v Jackson (PDF, 2.2 MB) – shoplifting, People v Stevens (PDF, 2.6 MB) – assault with a deadly weapon; self defense, People v Green (PDF, 3.3 MB) – assault with a deadly weapon; self defense, Miles v Washington (PDF, 16.2 MB) – civil rights; First Amendment, Roman v Colby (PDF, 9.6 MB) – civil rights; unreasonable search, Martin v Big Burger (PDF, 4.1 MB) – wrongful discharge from employment. Feeling no pulse, Osiski ran out of the studio and out to the back patio, where he saw Siriusz’s 23-year-old son standing naked in the shallow end of the pool cleaning off with a bar of soap. Both lay dead on the basketball courts at Founders Park. Under normal circumstances, non-point pollution is a serious problem, but at times, the problem can be exacerbated and can result in tragic consequences. (Adapted from case drafted by the Hon. related education opportunity for elementary school students—the Law Fair Competition. This case deals with the negligent storage of a handgun and supervision of a minor. Oct 24, 2014 - Explore Theresa Teja's board "Mock Trial" on Pinterest. Thomas P. Franczyk, Judge, Erie County Court in Buffalo, NY for use in the 2010 Buffalo Niagara Trial Competition held in Buffalo, NY). Winners are selected in each grade level. 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. Because my students loved it so much, I wanted to try to find some more free resources. 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 Martin Louis Siriusz was found slumped over his piano listening to a playback of his latest (and as it turned out, his last) recording, entitled “Hanging at Death’s Door.” [A copy of the recording is available as evidence] (MP3) The people of the State of New Michigan have charged Thomas “Duke” Osiski, Siriusz’s former bandmate, with murder. I guess that should say mock trial - because I always do the same mock trial with my students called B.B. 2011 – Jaime Anderson vs. Taylor Williams 2010 – People v. Alex Johnson After learning about the constitution and the three branches of government, I enjoy having my students do this to learn more about the judicial branch. All around town commuters were filling their travel mugs, while children readied their backpacks for school. (Mistakes are all mine, however.) Both stood out among their peers, receiving academic and athletic honors. 1989 – Pat Roman vs. Dana M. Colby & Terry Wordshaw But I look at it differently. The defendant was booked for DUIL Homicide and Negligent Homicide for hitting a bicycle rider with an automobile, driving under the influence of marijuana. Having students participate in a mock trial is one strategy for doing so. Since grade school, his favorite part of any parade or halftime show was the beat of the drums. The judge’s role is to make sure everyone follows the rules of the trial. That respondent, 16 year-old Alice, is repeatedly disobedient to the reasonable and lawful commands of her parent; and, 2. Any relevance this could have is substantially outweighed by the danger that it would cause jurors to be unfairly prejudiced against Martha. Kerry Upham, owner of The Record Store in Clearwater, discovered two counterfeit $20 Bills in the store’s deposits last March. Only evidence relevant to the case may be used. Friends I told most often expressed sympathy for my misfortune.