For use in teaching the mock trial process and for evaluating team presentations.

These forms are provided to help teachers and coaches evaluate student learning in the mock trial process. This rubric is specifically formulated for students who are working as a team to accomplish a goal.

1. Each member of the team has a clear understanding of the mock trial rules of procedure.

2. Each member of the team has a clear understanding of the burden of proof.

3. Each member of the team is able to present information in logical and articulate manner.

4. All members of the team contribute, listen and respect each other.

5. All members of the team understand the steps in the trial.

6. All members of the team attend meetings, practices and trials regularly.

7. All members of the team understand that they are limited to the materials provided in the mock trial packet.

8. All members of the team understand good citizenship and fairness.

9. All members of the team are aware of alternative dispute resolution processes.

10. All members of the team understand the American judicial system.

For use in teaching the mock trial process and for evaluating student presentations.

These forms are provided to help teachers and coaches evaluate student learning in the mock trial process. This rubric is specifically formulated for students who are assigned the task of crafting and presenting an opening statement or a closing argument.

1. Student comprehends the various statements of fact and has a clear idea of the burden of proof.

2. Student provides an accurate synopsis of what needs to be discussed in an opening statement.

3. Student provides an accurate synopsis of what needs to be discussed in a closing argument, and understands that there are limits on what may be included based on what is discussed during the trial.

4. Delivery of opening and/or closing is clear and concise, with minimal reliance on notes.

5. Student speaks clearly and loudly enough to be heard throughout the room.

6. Student directs comments to the appropriate audience; including judge, jury or witness, with good eye contact.

7. Student exhibits appropriate courtroom decorum and respect for all parties in the trial, including opposing counsel and witnesses.

8. Statements are organized into thoughtful and methodical presentations.

9. Appropriate time limits are followed.

10. Students performing closing arguments use appropriate information only and indicate that they listened and understood opposing arguments.

For use in teaching the mock trial process and for evaluating student presentations.

These forms are provided to help teachers and coaches evaluate student learning in the mock trial process. This rubric is specifically formulated for students who are assigned the task of crafting and presenting an opening statement or a closing argument.

1. Student comprehends the various statements of fact and has a clear idea of the burden of proof and is able to establish a foundation for documents.

2. Student develops questions for direct that indicate a clear understanding of the case and how it should be proved.

3. Questions are appropriate for direct or cross, i.e. no leading questions on direct.

4. Delivery of questions on direct and/or cross is clear and concise, with minimal reliance on notes.

5. Student speaks clearly and loudly enough to be heard throughout the room.

6. Student directs comments to the appropriate audience; including judge, jury or witness, with good eye contact.

7. Student exhibits appropriate courtroom decorum and respect for all parties in the trial, including opposing counsel and witnesses.

8. Statements are organized into thoughtful and methodical presentations.

9. Appropriate time limits are followed.

10. Student knows when to object, and on what grounds and is able to explain articulately why objections are made or should be overruled.

For use in teaching the mock trial process and for evaluating team presentations.

These forms are provided to help teachers and coaches evaluate student learning in the mock trial process. This rubric is specifically formulated for students who are serving as mock trial witnesses.

1. Students are familiar with all mock trial rules.

2. Students understand the burden of proof.

3. Students are familiar with their witness statement and any additional information provided in the mock trial packet that is relevant to the case at hand.

4. Student understands that they must respond accurately, within the information in their witness statement, to questions asked by mock trial attorneys.

5. Appropriate time limits are followed.

6. Student speaks clearly and loudly enough to be heard throughout the room.

7. Student directs comments to the appropriate audience; including judge, jury or witness, with good eye contact.

8. Student exhibits appropriate courtroom decorum and respect for all parties in the trial, including opposing counsel and witnesses.

9. Student portrays the witness in a convincing manner, within the rules (i.e., no costumes, props, dialects or accents).

10. Student can perform the role of witness without use of notes.

Past ISBA mock trial problems are available for classroom use via the Internet at http://www.isba.org/Sections/lawrelateded.html

While official mock trial teams registered and participating in the state mock trial event each spring are limited to the materials provided by the ISBA for this event, as an additional classroom exercise, teachers and students are encouraged to expand on the materials provided.

• Independent research may be conducted, and additional witness statements may be crafted to include, for instance, arresting officers, character witnesses, expert witnesses, etc.
• Internet searches may provide updated information on the topics discussed in years past
• You may ask students to debate the issues brought forth in a particular case
• You may ask students to mediate the issues brought forth in a particular case
• Assign students the task of drafting a bench memorandum, which explains the basics of the case and synopsizes what each side must prove

Other Participants in the Trial

Not all students will be able to participate as a mock trial witness or lawyer. Other roles are open to students:

Judge

Jury

Bailiff

Timer

Court Reporter

Journalist/Reporter

Courtroom artist

Students may also be asked to read law-related books and develop mock trial witness affidavits based on the characters in the books. The ISBA Website contains a law-related reading list that can be used for this assignment. http://www.isba.org/Sections/lawrelateded.html

Or ask students to watch one of the movies listed below and create a witness statement or affidavit based on one of the characters depicted:

A Civil Action (1999) A Few Good Men (1992)

A Man for All Seasons (1966) Absence of Malice (1981)

Adams Rib (1949) Amistad (1997)

Anatomy of a Murder (1959) And Justice For All (1979)

Billy Budd (1962) Birdman of Alcatraz (1962)

Breaker Morant (1980) Catch Me if You Can (2003)

Class Action (1991) Cool Hand Luke (1967)

Dead Man Walking (1995) Erin Brockovich (2000)

Gideon's Trumpet (1980) Gosford Park (2001)

Holes (2003) I Am Sam (2001)

In the Name of the Father (1994) Inherit the Wind (1960)

Judgment at Nuremberg (1966) Knock on Any Door (1949)

Kramer v. Kramer (1979) Legal Eagles (1996)

Liar, Liar (1997) Lord of the Flies (1990)

Losing Isaiah (1995) Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil (1997)

Miracle on 34th Street (1947) (1994) Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936)

Mrs. Doubtfire (1993) Murder in the First (1995)

My Cousin Vinny (1992) Nuts (1987)

O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000) Paris Trout (1991)

Paths of Glory (1957) Philadelphia (1994)

Presumed Innocent (1990) Reversal of Fortune (1990)

Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991) Rules of Engagement (2000)

Schindler's List (1993) Snow Falling on Cedars (2000)

Sommersby (1993) Suspect (1987)

The Accused (1988) The Caine Mutiny (1954)

The Castle (1999) The Client (1994)

The Crucible (1996 The Devil and Daniel Webster (1941)

The Devil's Advocate (1997) The Firm (1993)

The Fugitive (1993) The Incident (1989)

The Insider (1999) The Life of Emile Zola (1937)

The Onion Field (1979) The Ox-bow Incident (1943)

The Paradine Case (1947) The Pelican Brief (1993)

The Rainmaker (1997) The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

The Star Chamber (1983) The Sweet Hereafter (1997)

The Thin Blue Line (1988) The Verdict (1982)

The Winslow Boy (1999) (1948) The Wrong Man (1956)

Time to Kill (1996) To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)

Twelve Angry Men (1957) Wag the Dog (1998)

Whose Life is it Anyway? (1981) Witness for the Prosecution (1957)

Young Mr. Lincoln (1939)