Trial and Error
As some people know, the BIG mock tirals are comming up swiftly for the gifted literature students. Nerves are fraying, concentration is strained, and the competative spirit has taken over room 114. We are all told not to wory about who wins or loses, but who listnes to that? Winning your trial is always the bets part.
For sixth graders, the big mock trials are just big chances to nap. They tend to miss half the trial because they space out. The other half is kinda a blur because they don’t understand a lot of the language. Usually they feel small, new, and totally lost. Then again, don’t we all when we are the smallest, youngest, and newest?
In seventh grade they actually have some experience under their belts, however minimal. Sometimes they have a very good handle on things and work really well with the eighth graders. Sometimes not. Sometimes they make such big fools of them selves that they never want to do mock trials again. There are many seventh grade attorneys who totally forget the cross that they are doing (whatever side they are on) and end up feeling like…well let’s just say not-so-good. It is all part of the natural cycle of mock trials, however mortifying.
As eighth graders everyone is confidant, self-assured, and totally competative. Seventh grade (and sometimes sixth grade if you are smart enough and unlucky enough) students are a bit shy arround the incredibly intense eighth graders. For eighth grader this is the last mock trial year where you can dress up weird, not be against other schools, and find out a lot about the other team because your feind is on the other team and they accidently tell you everything. They are all going to be excited, very few ecceptions.
I am here to tell everyone to relax, have fun, and MOCK YOUR TRIALING HEART OUT!!! If that didn’t make sense, then just good luck. May you be victorious, live long, and prosper!
April 18, 2008 at 9:04 pm
Don’t forget to ask for a sidebar so all the attorneys and the court officers can figure out where to go afterwards for lunch while your client will probably be heading for lockup. And because it’s a sidebar, a lot of lawyers will automatically want to go to a salad bar or a pasta bar. Say no to this early. Then if the bring it up again you can snap “asked and answered!” at them.
Don’t be afraid to make up new animals. Why is everyone always “badgering” the witness? How about: “Your honor, counsel is cameling the witness.” I would use that if the questions were dry (like a desert) and the opposing attorney spit when he talked.
Also, always request to treat your own witness as hostile. It real perks the jury up and confuses them as to what happened while they dozed.
And last, but not least, object to things as hearsay a lot. Hearsay rules are so obtuse most judges can’t figure them all out. That way, if you lose you have grounds for appeal when you get to high school!