Procedure:
1.
One week before
the mock trial day, display public notices around the school informing people of
the upcoming trial. Provide details of charges and location of trial e.g. in
the school hall or a classroom
2.
Select an adult
who has researched the area thoroughly and can give informed and accurate
answers to questions that the students may raise on the day; this expert will
be the named accused – Mr Jack Smith
3.
On the trial day;
meet together as a group to introduce the learning intentions for the day and
to consider the charges and see the evidence the prosecution will be
presenting.
4.
Provide students
with time table for the day, i.e., the time limits they have for each part of
the activities
5.
Allocate
different photographic evidence to different groups of children to discuss and
raise questions on; if preferred students could select which photographs they
wish to work on.
6.
Provide students with
access to other sources of information e.g. history books, the internet or knowledgeable
teachers and other adults
7.
Students in their
groups consider each photograph in turn and raise questions they wish to ask
about it. A PowerPoint handout could be used to record these.
8.
After the
research and questions raising sessions, gather students in the ‘trial/
courtroom’.
9.
Arrange
appropriate sitting places for students as the ‘Prosecuting team’ and put Mr
Smith in the dock as the ‘defendant’
10.
The judge
introduces the case and indictment charges and invites Mr Smith to enter a plea
‘These are the charges, how do you plead, guilty or not guilty?’
11.
Begin the
‘trial’. The prosecuting team states its case, presents its evidence and ask
questions, to which Mr. Smith responds. Evidence includes photographic and eye
witness accounts and other evidence.
12.
The defence team presents its case using
photographic and eye witness accounts and other evidence. Questions are put to
Mr Smith.
13.
Both sides sum up
their case and urge the jury to find or acquit the defendant using emotive
words.
14.
Whole school jury
vote on which side has presented the most overwhelming evidence to support its
case
15.
The defendant is
acquitted or sentenced.
16.
The jury is
dismissed
17.
The court proceeding
is closed.
Example of Public Notice
The
Trial of Mr Jack Smith the Colonial Industrialist will take place on Monday 18th
of January in the year of our Lord 20_ _ at The Hague School hall.
Mr
Smith is charged with crimes against humanity and destructive actions against
our Planet Earth
The
court will begin sitting at 8.45am. You are all invited to attend as good
citizens of our world.
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