Intro to Mock Trial
Ms. Snell
Debate I
Picture a white bear.
What is the job of a trial lawyer?
The job of a trial lawyer
• Is to make sure the jury sees the bear you want them to see.
Legal Analysis
• Whom do you represent?
• What outcome do you want?
• What evidence do you have?
• Every story can be reduced to one sentence.
• That sentence is your theory of the case.
Prosecution
• Represents the Victim(s)
• Plaintiff
• Has more of a burden= harder to convince BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT/
INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY
Defense
• Represents the Defendant
• Less of a burden = easier to win– As long able to prove ANY doubt to panel of
12 jury members
Representing the Bears
What outcome do you want?
Representing the Bears
What outcome do you want?
Goldilocks to pay for the damage she did.
Representing the Bears
What evidence do you have?
Representing the Bears
What evidence do you have?
What the Bears saw.
Representing the Bears
What is this case about in one sentence?
Representing the Bears
This case is about three innocent bears whose sense of security
was permanently destroyed when Goldilocks burglarized their home.
Representing Goldilocks
What outcome do you want?
Representing Goldilocks
What outcome do you want?
Goldilocks does not have to pay.
Representing Goldilocks
What evidence do you have?
Representing Goldilocks
What evidence do you have?
Goldilocks.
Representing Goldilocks
What is this case is about in one sentence?
Representing Goldilocks
This case is about a terrified little girl who was lost, hungry, and
tired.
The job of a trial lawyer
• Is to make sure the jury sees the case that you want them to see.
QuestioningThe Prosecution begins the trial, the Defense calls their witnesses second
Direct Examination
• Attorneys ask questions to their own witnesses
• Example:– Prosecution Attorney Q’s
Prosecution Witness– Defense Attorney Q’s
Defense Witness
Cross Examination
• Attorneys ask questions to the opposing side’s witnesses
• Example: – Prosecution Attorney Q’s
Defense Witness– Defense Attorney Q’s
Prosecution Witness
Legal Analysis and Theme
• Whom do you represent?
• What outcome do you want?
• What evidence do you have?
• Every story can be reduced to one sentence.
• That sentence is your theory of the case.