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Mock trial cases typically provide valuable information for attorneys preparing for actual trials. In these instances, lawyers do not dwell on winning or losing during mock trial cases, but focus on what they can learn from jurors. When lawyers thoroughly interview jurors after the case, a wealth of information might surface that helps them prepare their case. The credibility of witnesses suggests areas where a lawyer might conduct coaching.

Some attorneys videotape jury deliberations in mock trial cases to illustrate how jurors perceive witnesses. This information might be useful to prepare potential witnesses for greater credibility during actual trial. Attorneys also glean valuable personal information from questioning jurors after mock trials. Jurors might assess how the lawyers performed and point out habits or demeanors they found offensive.

The rules, Rule and Rule , define whether evidence is admissible or inadmissible. Rule goes over the definition of relevance. Rule says irrelevant evidence is inadmissible. Rule is an extremely useful objection because it allows you to exclude evidence. The basic wording of the rule allows the court to decide to exclude evidence if they believe it would be prejudice or unfair to the case. The court may exclude relevant evidence if its probative value is substantially outweighed by a danger of one or more of the following: unfair prejudice, confusing the issues, misleading the jury, undue delay, wasting time, or needlessly presenting cumulative evidence.

The reason why this rule is difficult to use is that the court favors evidence being admitted than excluded. Therefore, it must protect against the misuse of this rule. The difference between prejudicial and probative evidence is:. Objection Capital is a new and somewhat complicated concept in Mock Trial. This is a skill that should only be used by expert Mock Trial teams. It is one of the less important skills in Mock Trial but it is helpful when competing against other high-level teams.

Objection Capital noun — The amount of useful objections you can make in a single Mock Trial round. The act of optimizing the use of objections in a case-in-chief. Look over your chase-in-chief, practice against other teams, and understand critical rules of evidence. Skip to content An Overview of Character Evidence Character Evidence is when testimony or evidence is used against someone to prove their character personal traits.

No The reason why we have such rules is so that we do not prejudice the jury and piece together two facts. Rule Character Evidence and its exceptions are described under Rule It also offers exceptions. Full Text: Rule The Exceptions Rules a 2 — These exceptions allow character evidence to be used in a criminal trial. You also must perform the following: prosecution must provide notice of evidence being offered at trial, before trial or during trial if the court excuses pretrial Rule Rule goes over the methods of proving Character Evidence.

For example, Josh is known for being an angry person. For example, Mike robbed a convenience store before. Rule Full Text: Rule A Witness Rule says that a witnesses credibility may be supported or attacked using character evidence if they truthful or untruthful. These exceptions are: 1 these specific instances of conduct are only allowed when they are subjects of a criminal conviction 2 these specific instances of conduct can be talked about during cross-examination.

However, the only people allowed to talk about these specific instances are the: a the witness himself; or b another witness that was mentioned by the witness himself Rule Full Text: Rule The three other exceptions are described as: Rule c — If the convict is issued a pardon, certificate of rehabilitation or an equivalent procedure, the conviction evidence is inadmissible.

Rule and Rule These Relevance rules are very basic. Therefore, not much is needed to establish the relevance of the evidence being entered. Rules and Work Together — Rule is followed by Check out the technique here.

Speaking in a large courtroom is very different from speaking in a classroom or in hour home. The space is much larger, and you need your voice to fill that space. You also want everyone in the courtroom to hear you, no matter how far away they are from you, and whether or not you are facing them. Practice speaking up and projecting your voice. What body language might work well for the mock trial role you have?

For example, a victim might not want to assume a power pose, but an attorney might want to when making a closing argument. Yes, you will feel awkward doing it. More importantly, I learned so much about my public speaking habits. Please give this a try. I promise it is the single most impactful thing you can do to improve your public speaking.

As you watch, consider the same things you consider when you watch others. Look at your body language; listen to your voice. Is it easy for your audience to follow what you are saying, or do they have to really concentrate and focus? Practice everywhere. Practice as you blow dry your hair. In the car on your way to school.

In a crowded coffee shop. In front of the bathroom mirror. Listen to their feedback. That can quickly become overwhelming, and you might even get conflicting feedback. But another judge on the same panel, who had watched the exact same delivery of the argument, told me I seemed unapproachable and should smile more.

Go figure! I call this a Stay Cool Plan. Just pause. Take a deep breath. Then think some more. You can even admit you are lost. Returning to the topic of …. Just like you have fire drills at school, you should practice your Stay Cool Plan. Follow your Stay Cool Plan and do your best to provide an answer. If you truly are stuck and cannot give any kind of answer, just admit it. This is a last resort!



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