2014+Mock+Trial

** Contact Your ** **Witnesses to prepare Them for Direct Examination:**
You can email them the following:

Dear (Mr./Mrs.),

I am a student attorney in Mr. Stelzer's Criminal Justice class. I will be conducting your direct examination, and would like to meet with you to prepare your testimony. I am available at your convenience, but specific times that are good for me include the following:

(list several available times)

The preparation should take approximately 30 minutes. Please let me know when and where is convenient for you. Thank you,

Name

General


- An Overview





[|Click here for a good overview on the trial process]

[|Click here for an article on developing a theory of the case]

More Detailed Information :

Opening Statements


(short)





Witness Preparation:Direct and Cross-Examination






[|Click here]for good overview of direct examination (written from a defense lawyers perspective; good advice for prosecution, too)







**Some of the Things Most Difficult for Team Members to Master**

 * Deciding which points are the most important to prove the elements of the case and to make sure that proof takes place.
 * Telling clearly what they intend to prove in the opening statement and arguing effectively in their closing argument that the facts and evidence presented prove their cases.
 * Following the formality of the court, e.g., standing up when the judge enters or when addressing the judge, calling the judge "Your Honor," etc.
 * Phrasing questions on direct examination that are not leading.
 * Refraining from asking so many questions on cross-examination that well-made points are lost. When a witness has been contradicted or otherwise discredited, student attorneys tend to ask additional questions, which often lessens the impact of points previously made.
 * Pointless questions should be avoided! Questions should require answers that will make only good points for the side.
 * Thinking quickly on their feet when a witness gives an unexpected answer, an attorney asks unexpected questions or makes unexpected objections, or a judge throws questions at the attorney or witness.
 * Refraining from reading opening and closing statements.