Lesson Plan for Mock Trial

Day 1 -

• Take recent case from the news and discuss it in class.
• What were the events reported that led to the arrest?
• What was the suspect arrested for?

• What do the charges mean? How can they be defined?

  -2 sources can be used here -

  • General legal glossary at www.nolo.com/glossary.cfm

  • Illinois Criminal Code at Illinois Criminal Code

Day 2 -

• Go over "Simplified Rules of Evidence" together as a class

• Select the students for the various roles by pulling name out of bowl (student indicates 1st and 2nd choices

  • 1 judge

  • 2 defense attorneys

  • 2 prosecution attorneys

  • 1 defendant

  • 1 bailiff

  • 1 court clerk

  • 4 witnesses

  • all other students will be part of the jury (is not enough students, a bench trial can be held)

• Copies of witnesses statements distributed

Day 3 -

• Attorneys given time to interview witnesses with their statement
• Attorneys given time to plan strategy and discuss exact charges and their definitions based on Illinois Criminal Code
• Teacher meets with judge to discuss any questions and help with instructions to the jury

Day 4-

• Begin trial
  • Opening Statements
  • Calling Witnesses (examination, cross-examination, redirect)

Day 5 - 7 (trial takes approximately 3 to 5 days)

• Trial continues

  • Closing Statements

  • Instructions to Jury

  • Jury Deliberations

  • Announcement of the Verdict

  • Jury Dismissed