Name: Due Date:

Mock Trial Packet

Mrs. Wojciechowski
Adv. 8th Grade ELA
Quarter 1: Unit 1

Contents:
Standards/Objectives……..1
Introduction…………........2
Roles and Descriptions…2-3
Courtroom Proceedings..…4
Legal Lingo……………….5
Assessment………………..6
Essay Instructions…………6
 Timeline…………………..7
Standards/Objectives:
Reading  RL 1/RI 1: Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an
analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn
from the text.
 RL 3: Analyze how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in a
story or drama propel the action, reveal aspects of a character, or
provoke a decision.
Writing  W 1: Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and
relevant evidence.
o Introduce claim(s), acknowledge and distinguish the
claim(s) from alternate or opposing claims, and organize the
reasons and evidence logically.
o Support claim(s) with logical reasoning and relevant
evidence, using accurate, credible sources and
demonstrating an understanding of the topic or text.
o Use words, phrases, and clauses to create cohesion and
clarify the relationships among claim(s), counterclaims,
reasons, and evidence.
o Establish and maintain a formal style.
o Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from
and supports the argument presented.
 W 9: Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support
analysis, reflection, and research.
Speaking/ Listening  SL 1a: Come to discussions prepared having read or researched
material under study; explicitly draw on that preparation by
referring to evidence on the topic, text, or issue to probe and reflect
on ideas under discussion.
 SL 1d: Acknowledge new information expressed by others, and,
when warranted, qualify or justify their own views based on the
evidence presented.
 SL 3: Delineate a speaker’s argument and specific claims,
evaluating the soundness of the reasoning and relevance and
sufficiency of the evidence and identifying when irrelevant
evidence is introduced.
 SL 4: Present claims and findings, emphasizing salient points in a
focused, coherent manner with relevant evidence, sound valid
reasoning, and well‐chosen details; use appropriate eye contact,
adequate volume, and clear pronunciation.

1
Introduction
While conducting their summer reading assignment, students were asked to consider essential
questions regarding identity, social justice and empathy, as well as family relationships and
dynamics. These questions were in anticipation for our mock trial project, in which students will
be asked to study the intricacies of S. E. Hinton’s novel, The Outsiders, as well as to put their
knowledge of the characters and plot into action; in this project, students will select from the
characters/roles listed below, research and prepare for their role, write an argumentative essay
from the perspective of their character, as well as portray their character in a mock trial, a role-
playing activity, in which the students will put Johnny on trial for the murder of Bob and
determine whether he should answer for his alleged crimes, as would have happened in the novel
had Johnny not passed away first. Some of you will be asked to play roles that require leadership and a
bit of acting, while others will be asked to examine information carefully and make accurate decisions.

Possible Roles
 Judge
 Jury Members
 Defendant (Johnny Cade)
 Plaintiffs (Mr. & Mrs. Sheldon)
 Prosecution
o District Attorney
o Junior District Attorneys
o Character Witness #1 (Randy Adderson)
o Character Witness #2 (Sherri “Cherry” Valance)
o Expert Witness (to be decided)
 Defense Team
o Defense Attorney
o Junior Defense Attorneys
o Character Witness #1 (Ponyboy Curtis)
o Character Witness #2 (Dallas Winston)
o Character Witness #3 (Jerry Wood)
o Expert Witness (to be decided)
 Stenographer (note-taker)
 Bailiff/Clerk (swears in witnesses)
 Courtroom Artist (depicts scene in courtroom)

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  Media Coverage/ Reporters

Description of Roles
 Prosecution Team – Your first decision is how to proceed with the trial. You will need to
decide what crime to charge the defendant (Johnny) and send him a subpoena. Then you
need to subpoena and interview witnesses, prepare your opening and closing statements and
cross examinations, and get ready for the actual trial. You must dress the part!
 Defense Team – Your first decision is based on what style of defense you will take. I
assume you’ll think your client (Johnny) is not guilty, but you could be more creative and
look to justifiable homicide, self-defense, etc. After you have prepared your plea, start to
figure out how to prove it. Subpoena and interview witnesses, prepare your opening and
closing statements and cross examinations, and get ready for the actual trial. You must dress
the part!
 Jury Members –As a member of the jury, evidence will be presented to you (take notes!) on
the day of the mock trial and your job will be to deliver a verdict.
 Bailiff/Clerk- You will maintain order in the courtroom, act on any directive of the judge,
and handle the defendant. You will also be responsible for having anyone who takes the
stand take oath (Do you solemnly swear to tell the truth…?”)
 Johnny - Your role is to stand before the court and defend your actions. You will need to
meet with your defense lawyer, testify on the stand, answer cross-examination by the State,
and sit on the bench with your legal counsel. You are also expected to dress and act the part!
 Witnesses – Your job is to help convict or acquit Johnny, depending on which side has
called you. Some of you might be characters from the book, or you might be an expert
witness such as a ballistics expert or psychologist. You are expected to work with the lawyer
to prepare your line of questioning and be ready for cross-examination. You must dress the
part of your character and take on their persona/characteristics. Expert Witnesses may be a
fingerprinting expert, a ballistics expert, a coroner, a psychologist, or any other expert the
lawyers feel the need to prove their case.
 Stenographer- For record keeping purposes, you will sit at the computer (you may choose to
hand-write if you prefer) and record a log of what happens in the court. It should not only
include the dialogue from testimony, but who is present in the courtroom and what role they
are playing.
 Courtroom Sketch Artist– Your job is to create a minimum of three artistic representations
of scenes from the courtroom, as news cameras are not allowed in courtrooms.
 Reporters- You will take notes during the trial, and when the jury breaks to deliberate, you
will report “live” to people watching at home regarding the status of the trial, evidence
brought against Johnny, and whether it looks as though he will be acquitted or convicted.

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Courtroom Proceedings
Opening Statements
Prosecution
Defense
Witness Testimony and Cross-Examination
Prosecution Presents Evidence
Prosecution Calls Witnesses
Witness(es) is/are Sworn in under Oath
Direct Examination by Prosecutors
Cross-Examination by Defense
Re-Direct Examination
Defense Presents Evidence
Defense Calls Witnesses
Witness(es) is/are Sworn in under Oath
Direct Examination by Defense
Cross-Examination by Prosecution
Re-Direct Examination
Closing Statements
Defense
Prosecution
Jury is Dismissed
Jury Votes
Jury Delivers Verdict to Judge
Judge May Rule Against Jury; Judge Delivers Final Verdict

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Legal Lingo
Directions: Throughout the trial, you should use the following terms appropriately. Refer to this
glossary as needed throughout the trial preparation and the actual trial.
Charges
Charges or Crime What the prosecution has to prove
Murder in the first degree The suspect intentionally and willfully killed
a person with premeditated and malicious
plans
Murder in the second degree The suspect intentionally and willfully killed
a person with malice, but the plans were NOT
premeditated or planned in advance
Voluntary Manslaughter The suspect intentionally killed a person but
there was no prior intent to kill, and the act
was committed under circumstances that
would “cause a reasonable person to become
emotionally or mentally disturbed”
Involuntary Manslaughter The suspect committed an act that
unintentionally led to death, usually by
negligence.

Objections

Say this… …When you want to object to…

OBJECTION! Leading Question
OBJECTION! Beyond the Scope
OBJECTION! Relevance
OBJECTION! Prejudicial
OBJECTION! Speculation
A question that assumes an answer or leads the
witness to answering in a prescribed way
A question that asks a witness to respond to a
question they are not qualified to answer
A piece of textual evidence or a question that does
not directly relate to the case at hand
A question or remark that is clearly intended to
prejudice the jury against the defendant
A question that asks a witness to guess or
hypothesize, rather than state a known fact

Judge’s Rulings

When the judge says this… …It means…

SUSTAINED! The judge agrees with the objection, and the
question or comment is thrown out and struck
from the record
OVERRULED. The judge disagrees with the objection, and the
question or response can be continued

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Assessment
You must submit all of your trial preparation materials for a project grade worth 100 points; half
of your grade will be your participation in the mock trial, while the other 50% will be the
following:
 Lawyers – opening and closing statements, list of witness questions
 Jury Members – reflection on the ruling including your standpoint and how it affected
the outcome, as well as what evidence during the trial influenced your opinion (in other
words, did your opinion change as a result of evidence/arguments presented during the
trial?)
 Witnesses – list of questions/answers, written summary of your role
 Defendant/Plaintiffs – list of questions/answers, written summary of your role
 Stenographer– log of courtroom events
 Bailiff- research of various oaths given to all who participate in the trial
 Courtroom Sketch Artist– minimum of three drawings
 Reporters- written notes for news article and recording of “live-cast”
Before the trial begins, you will submit an argumentative essay for a writing grade worth 100
points that either defends Johnny’s innocence or asserts his guilt. Your essay should include
 an introduction with a hook and claim/thesis statement;
 body paragraphs that demonstrate why your claim is correct;
 a counterclaim paragraph acknowledging the other side’s claim and why it is not correct
 a concluding paragraph explaining how you think your claim and evidence will hold up
in our mock trial (essentially, do you think your side will win?);
 relevant evidence from the book (at leave 6 quotes throughout the essay);
 sound reasoning; most pieces of literature are open to interpretation, however, you can’t
bend the truth about facts or make up information that is not within the text;
and should be written in 12-point Times New Roman font, double-spaced, with an MLA
heading, and MLA citations.
*In their essay, all members of the prosecution will be arguing that Johnny is guilty, while
all members of the defense will be arguing that Johnny is innocent; all other members in
the trial will be allowed to choose their position.
Example claim defending Johnny: While Johnny may be guilty of voluntary manslaughter, he
should be let off on probation, because it was in self-defense.
Example claim asserting Johnny’s guilt: Johnny is guilty of murder in the first degree, and
should be sentenced to death, because he had motive and armed himself at all times.

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Timeline
Monday 8/28
 Assign weekly homework assignment #2 covering vocabulary words used in the trial
Friday 9/1
 Introduce the project and assign characters/roles
Tuesday 9/5
 Weekly homework assignment #2 due
 Assign weekly homework assignment #3 researching courtroom proceedings using FindLaw.com
 Notes on argumentative writing
Wednesday 9/6
 Write essay outline and begin gathering evidence
Thursday 9/7 (meet in Lab 429)
 Begin essay rough draft
Friday 9/8 (meet in Lab 429)
 Continue essay rough drafts
Monday 9/11 (meet in Lab 429)
 Peer editing essay rough drafts; begin final drafts
Tuesday 9/12 (meet in Lab 429)
 Weekly homework assignment #3 due
 Final drafts due by end of class
Wednesday 9/13
 Review courtroom proceedings, prepare opening and closing statements, witness questions and
answers, evidence, etc.
Thursday 9/14
 Continue trial preparation
Friday 9/15 (half day)
 Trial run-through
Monday 9/18

 Mock Trial
Tuesday 9/19
 Mock Trial Reflection
 Watch The Outsiders movie (permission slip to be sent out)