Guidelines for Conducting a Mock Trial

For Teachers
Guidelines for Conducting a Mock Trial in the Classroom

1. Opening statements (3 minutes each)
   Prosecution opens with their statement.
   Defense opens with their statement

2. Prosecution calls their first witness (allow a maximum of 10 minutes per witness).  Keep the questions on track and pertinent.  The Judge may cut off a line of questioning or rule on pertinence of the line of questioning. 

3. Defense cross examines the first witness

4. Repeat this procedure for the second and third prosecution witnesses

5. Defense calls its first witness

6. Prosecution cross-examines the witness.

7. Repeat for the second and third defense witnesses.

8. Either side may forgo cross-examination if they have no questions for the witness. 

9. Prosecution gives its closing statement summing up the case

10. Defense gives its closing statement summing up its case. 

11. Defendant speaks on his own behalf

12. Jury deliberates (discusses the case)

13. Jury votes in secret and the votes are counted.