Curated OER
Stolen Car Mini-Trial
Students participate in a mock trial about stolen cars. In groups, they take turns representing their clients and examining how a court operates. Other students act as the jury and share their reasons for the verdict they deliver.
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Plyler v. Doe: Can States Deny Public Benefits to Illegal Immigrants?
Illegal immigration is an ever-changing source of consistent controversy. A reading passage about the rights of undocumented workers and illegal immigrants—and the lack thereof—guides high schoolers into a mock trial activity. Three...
Curated OER
Mock Trial Preparation
Learners work together to help prepare for a mock trial presentation. As a class, they identify and discuss each part of a trial and participate in a mini-demonstration to help visualize the steps. After completion, they write a...
Curated OER
That's MY Pencil: Simplified Mock Trial
Learners identify the process for settling a legal dispute, identify key players in a legal dispute (who presents the facts; who makes the final decision), and determine what makes a decision fair.
Curated OER
Opening Statements (Timed Writing) Model Lesson Plan
Students review purpose and timing of opening statements in mock trials, discuss particulars of what should be included in opening statements, and write individual opening statements based on facts of their case.
Curated OER
The Case of the Plugged Toilets:
Students identify the process for settling a criminal dispute (how are the facts of the case presented; how is the dispute resolved?, and
Utah State Courts
Judges in the Classroom
Class members explore the process of a disposition hearing for juveniles, particularly looking at how the judge decides what sentence the juvenile offender should receive. Task your pupils with evaluating different sample cases provided...
Curated OER
Tort Liability: Mock Trial
Young scholars explore the trial process and the tort concept of host liability.
Pennsylvania Bar Association
The Pied Piper vs. The City of Hamelin
How would the Pied Piper recover his damages from the deceptive citizens of Hamelin if the story took place today? Explore one of the Pied Piper's options with a short play that depicts a court case in which he sues the city of Hamelin...
Curated OER
Is it Housing Discrimination?
Twelfth graders examine the concept of discrimination. In this Current Events lesson plan, 12th graders prepare for a trial on discrimination. Students participate in these trials as a specific role.
Curated OER
Did Jack break the law?:
Students identify the process for settling a legal dispute, identify key players in a legal dispute (who presents the facts; who makes the final decision) and determine what makes a decision fair.
Curated OER
Torts
Students examine tort law and defenses to negligence claims. They read case studies, participate in a mock trial, answer questions about the case summaries, and present information to their group about tort law.
Curated OER
Family Law - Child Abuse and Neglect
Students continue to examine child abuse and neglect laws in their state. In groups, they discuss the reasoning behind the child abuse laws and how to increase awareness. They participate in a mock trial to practice their negotiation...
Curated OER
Guild v. Google
Students share opinions about what constitutes fair use of copyright materials and participate in a mock trial arguing the case of The Authors Guild v. Google.
Curated OER
Case Studies in Journalistic Ethics No. 2
Learners use texts on media ethics and various Web sites to explore real world examples of media law issues. For this media ethics lesson plan, learners examine the Food Lion case using a transcript from the court of appeals session and...
Curated OER
Tribal Sovereignty Mock Trial
Students discuss the issue of tribal/native nation sovereignty. They review the Constitution of the U.S. and discuss how it legally provides for sovereign nations. Then they participate in a mock trial of the 1823 Supreme Court Case...
Curated OER
Domestic Abuse and Order For Protection
Students read an article about the laws pertaining to cases of domestic abuse. They take a quiz, consider how they might help a friend involved in an abusive situation and participate in a mock trial where they examine varying points of...
Curated OER
Tee Time: A Lesson About Nonpoint Source Pollution
Students assume assigned roles as citizens in a town meeting where wealthy investors have persuaded the city government to clear an area of town to build a golf course. They are to investigate their roles and prepare a speech in support...
National First Ladies' Library
Safety or Civil Liberty? The Trial of Sacco and Vanzet
High schoolers investigate the Sacco-Vanzetti trial and develop a basic understanding of the issues involved. Then they write an essay taking a stance on the Sacco-Vanzetti trial: was the trial fair? were the two men falsely accused?...
Curated OER
Direct and Cross-Examination
Students continue to prepare for their mock trial. In groups, they are introduced on how to properly cross and direct examine someone using the techniques. They practice each technique on one another and compete against other groups in...
Curated OER
The Right to Education for California's Minorities and Immigrants
Students examine the elements of various court cases and how state and federal laws affect them. They participate in a series of mock trials to gain a better understanding of the issues involved.
Curated OER
Crime and Justice
Students investigate what happens when someone is arrested. They engage in a mock trial role play about a burglary. They engage in the process of the Criminal Justice System from arrest to sentencing.
iCivics
We The Jury
A jury must decide: are the names of two businesses so similar that one is hurt by customer confusion? Learners play the role of a juror who must decide—and convince others—whether Trio Taco and Trio Pizza are too similar. Using...
Curated OER
on Trial: Anonymous Sources, Promises of Confidentiality And Privacy
Students research the case of Matthew Cooper and Judith Miller, two reporters found in contempt of court for failing to divulge their sources. They participate in a mock trial as they consider the case from various points of view.