Mock Trial Activity

For this activity, the class will be divided into three groups: Prosecution, Defense, and Supreme
Court Justices. All parties will be given a packet outlining the case facts, witness testimonies,
and pertinent laws. Attorneys and judges alike will be responsible for studying the case and the
laws it involves. The prosecution and defense will each be given an allotted time to make their
case to the Justices who, in turn, will ask pertinent questions. After the first round, the
Prosecution and Defense will then offer rebuttals to the arguments brought up by the opposing
party. The Justices will then discuss whether or not the law was broken and whether or not the
law is constitutional. The judges will then explain their ruling.

Mock Trial Activity Attorney Rubric

Points Excellent Average Needs Work Incomplete

(100 Possible) (20-25 pts) (15-19 pts) (10-14 pts) (0-9 pts)
Information Examples and References/questi References/questio Information is not
references are well ons support the ns are not based on case
chosen to best main point. connected to material, questions
exemplify main Research is used research or the or references are
points in defense or to support defense reading. unrelated to the
prosecution. or prosecution. Arguments are main points.
All points are well Main points are random and
supported. adequately unconvincing.
convincing.

Collaboration Groups work Time allotted to Time allotted to No evidence of

together to share each member is each speaker is not group planning or
speaking time not well planned. well planned. cooperation.
appropriately to get Information Information Class time not
main points across. connects to that conflicts with or used wisely
Information refers to of other group repeats that of
and complements members. other group
that of other group Transitions are members.
members. sometimes No noticeable
Transitions to present. transitions from
calling next witness Class time mostly one speaker to the
are smooth. used wisely to next.
Class time always support and
used wisely to prepare each
support and prepare other.
each other.
Understanding Presentation uses Presentation uses Presentation Presentation
the Issue appropriate evidence some evidence includes few includes no
and applies to the that connects to evidence. evidence to
main points either the case. Attempts to support the case.
through direct, cross connect actions of Attorney speaks in
or opening/closing. the witness to the generalizations
issues or the trial about issues.
are awkward or
unconvincing.
Delivery, time Attorney makes Attorney uses Attorney uses note Attorney never
usage, and frequent eye contact notes but cards to avoid looks up, cannot
presentation with the judge. maintains making eye be heard, moves
Volume and pace adequate eye contact. nervously, or
reflect intensity of contact with the Volume and pace stands rooted to
main points. jury. are difficult to one spot.
Movement and Volume and pace follow.
gestures add are consistent Movements are not
emphasis to main with main points. related to speech
points. Gestures and and reflect
movement are nervousness.
used hesitantly.

Mock Trial Activity Judge Rubric

Points Excellent Average Needs Work Incomplete

(100 Possible) (20-25 pts) (15-19 pts) (10-14 pts) (0-9 pts)
Participation Judge is constantly Judge is often Judge is often Judge is not
engaged in trial engaged in trial engaged in trial involved with the
activity. Student activities. Student activity. Student trial activity.
does not need could participate needs a reminder to Student needs
reminders to stay more in class get back on task constant reminders
on task. activity, but is and can be to get back on task.
never causing a distracting to Student is
distraction. teacher and distracting to the
classmates. class as a whole.
Knowledge Judge demonstrates Judge demonstrates Judge demonstrates Judge seems to be
mastery over case a strong grasp of a shallow grasp of unaware of case
materials, to case materials, and case materials and materials or
include relevant courtroom courtroom courtroom
laws and procedures are procedures. procedures.
courtroom generally upheld.
procedures.
Performance Judge takes their Judge is Judge seems Judge does not take
role seriously, comfortable in unsure about their their role seriously
asking exceptional their role, asking role, missing and disrupts the
questions and necessary important trial process.
speaks questions. opportunities to
clearly/passionatel engage attorneys.
y.
Conduct Judge maintains a Judge ensures all Judge generally Judge is
positive attitude discourse is ensures that disrespectful to
and acts as an productive, discourse is other participants
exemplar for the respectful, and that productive, even if and contributes
other participants. decorum is they sometimes negatively to
Judge ensures all generally rely on teacher to decorum.
discourse is maintained. establish order.
productive,
respectful, and that
decorum is always
met.