Any tips for Mock Trial Defense Attorney?
Important: It is a mock trial of Lee Harvey Oswald and I am one of the two defense attorneys. Do you have any information that is adjectives wether it be pertaining to this case, or just a clever broad tactic.
All help is appreciated, thank you.
Answers:
I was once a mock trial coach, and I found that the kids on my troop were woefully unprepared, so my first bit of advice is prepare, prepare, prepare. For respectively witness, read over any statements they have given many times. Know every bit of discovery to the rear and forward.
In trials, I always use a trial notebook. For me, this is a three-ring binder with index tab for:
Opening Statement
One Tab for Each Prosecution Witness (for each one, put in any discovery for that human being, with important areas highlighted, after have your list of cross exam question that are suggested by the discovery)
One Tab for Each Defense Witness (again, put in discovery, and have your account of direct questions)
Closing Argument
Rules of Evidence (a summary)
You have to pretty much know the rules of evidence, you don't have much time to reason.
The most important ones:
Hearsay (basically the witness is testifying to what someone else said, and the explanation the other attorney is trying to get it in is that he's trying to prove that what the imaginative speaker said is true)
Some common exceptions to the hearsay rule are : that it's an admission, surrounded by crim law, of the defendant; and that it was an excited utterance, said right away after a surprising event.
No Foundation (the witness hasn't testify that he or she has a basis for knowing what he or she is testify about).
Irrelevant (the witness is testifying about something which doesn't prove or disprove a business that's in dispute, like the elements of the crime).
Try to net your objections in thoughtful of an indignant tone of voice, like you can't believe the other attorney is trying to pull this. That give you some authority with the judge and jury, and it freaks out your challenger.
When the prosecution puts a police officer on the stand, they'll try to get in adjectives of his credentials, like how long he's been a police officer, where on earth he's worked, on and on. This is just to build up his credibility with the jury. Immediately interrupt, and say-so that the defense stipulates to his credentials.
Treat your client with respect. Look at him with interest, put your foot on his shoulder once in a while, and give him a lawful pad and a pen so he can write notes to you. Then he won't interrupt your listen to the trial by whispering to you.
We all know that the Dallas cops pounding the crap out of Lee Harvey Oswald, so put a bunch of black and blue make-up on his face, similar to his wounds haven't healed.
Good luck.
use insanity defense
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All help is appreciated, thank you.
Answers:
I was once a mock trial coach, and I found that the kids on my troop were woefully unprepared, so my first bit of advice is prepare, prepare, prepare. For respectively witness, read over any statements they have given many times. Know every bit of discovery to the rear and forward.
In trials, I always use a trial notebook. For me, this is a three-ring binder with index tab for:
Opening Statement
One Tab for Each Prosecution Witness (for each one, put in any discovery for that human being, with important areas highlighted, after have your list of cross exam question that are suggested by the discovery)
One Tab for Each Defense Witness (again, put in discovery, and have your account of direct questions)
Closing Argument
Rules of Evidence (a summary)
You have to pretty much know the rules of evidence, you don't have much time to reason.
The most important ones:
Hearsay (basically the witness is testifying to what someone else said, and the explanation the other attorney is trying to get it in is that he's trying to prove that what the imaginative speaker said is true)
Some common exceptions to the hearsay rule are : that it's an admission, surrounded by crim law, of the defendant; and that it was an excited utterance, said right away after a surprising event.
No Foundation (the witness hasn't testify that he or she has a basis for knowing what he or she is testify about).
Irrelevant (the witness is testifying about something which doesn't prove or disprove a business that's in dispute, like the elements of the crime).
Try to net your objections in thoughtful of an indignant tone of voice, like you can't believe the other attorney is trying to pull this. That give you some authority with the judge and jury, and it freaks out your challenger.
When the prosecution puts a police officer on the stand, they'll try to get in adjectives of his credentials, like how long he's been a police officer, where on earth he's worked, on and on. This is just to build up his credibility with the jury. Immediately interrupt, and say-so that the defense stipulates to his credentials.
Treat your client with respect. Look at him with interest, put your foot on his shoulder once in a while, and give him a lawful pad and a pen so he can write notes to you. Then he won't interrupt your listen to the trial by whispering to you.
We all know that the Dallas cops pounding the crap out of Lee Harvey Oswald, so put a bunch of black and blue make-up on his face, similar to his wounds haven't healed.
Good luck.
use insanity defense
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