October 24, 2013Journal
Write a thesis to answer the following question:Where would be the best place in the world to live?Remember: A thesis has a claim and three points!
Quote“We must believe in luck. For how else can we explain the success of those we don’t like?” - Jean Cocturan
Word of the DayGrumpy, the dwarf, is very lugubrious.
Lugubrious (adjective)• Mournful, dismal, or gloomy, especially in an affected,
exaggerated, or unrelieved manner.
Reminders/Announcements• More about the trial….• Thesis Worksheet due today!
People in Court• The Judge
• This person makes the call about what is going on. They keep order and decide if the evidence and actions of the lawyers are within the legal bounds of the Constitution.
• The Bailiff• This is the policeman who is
present in court. They are meant to provide security for the judge and prevent violence in the courtroom.
People in Court• Representation
(sometimes called Council)• The lawyers that are legally
required to be part of the trial proceedings.
• Prosecution• The lawyer(s) trying to
prove the guilt of the defendant.
• Defense• The lawyer(s) trying to
prove the innocence of the defendant.
People in Court• The Defendant
• The person being defended against criminal charges.
• Witness• Any person who testifies
about the events that occurred in order to prove the innocence/guilt of the defendant.
People in Court• The Jury
• Composed of 12 people called jurors. They decide whether the defendant is guilty or not.
• The Foreman (Forewoman)• Counts the votes of the
jury and presents the jury’s findings in court. Reads the verdict.
More About Court• Deposition
• Statement made by a witness and recorded before court
• Allegation• Something that someone
says happened • Charge
• The law that the police believe the defendant has broken
More About Court• Conviction
• A judgment of guilt against a criminal defendant
• Plea• In a criminal case, the
defendant's statement pleading "guilty" or "not guilty" in answer to the charges, a declaration made in open court.
• Sentence• The punishment ordered by
a court for a defendant convicted of a crime.
More About Court• Subpoena
• A command to a witness to appear and give testimony.
• Perjury• Lying while under oath in
court. This can lead to jail time!
• Contempt• To violate court rules and
decorum in a way that offends the judge. This can get you a fine, get you kicked out of court, or cause you to spend time in jail.
More About CourtAcquit
• To find that the defendant is innocent of the crime that they have been accused of.
• Unanimous• When the jury is in complete
agreement. In order for a verdict to be accepted, the jury has to be unanimous. If the jury cannot come to a unanimous decision, they are considered a “hung jury.”
More About Court• Point of Order
• I have a question.• Relevance
• What does this have to do with anything? • Speculation
• Taking a guess without evidence to back up what you are saying.
More About Court• Approach
• What the judge says when he/she wants the lawyers to come up to their bench to talk to them
• Capital Offense• A crime punishable by death
• Hearsay• Statements by a witness
who did not see or hear the incident in question but heard about it from someone else. Hearsay is usually not admissible as evidence in court
More About Court
• Comply: To do what is asked of you (generally by a judge).
• Evidence: What you present to prove your point.
• Exhibit: When you show your evidence to the judge and jury in court.
More About Court• Objection: To disagree with
the methods being used by another lawyer.
• Examination: Questioning a witness that can help your case.
• Cross-Examination: Questioning a witness who is hostile or who can prove the opposite of what you’re trying to prove.
More About Court• Badgering: To irritate the witness until they become extremely angry or emotional.
And Now…• Fishbowl Debates• If you are out of order, then you will lose points on this
assignment! If I find you in contempt, you will get a “0.”• Everyone must participate.• Be polite.
TOPIC: HOMEWORKShould it be banned? Should there be a limitation put on how much each teacher can assign?
TOPIC: PHONES IN SCHOOLShould students be allowed to have their phones in school? Should teachers allow students to text during class?
TOPIC: SINGLE-SEX SCHOOLSSome schools are segregated into boy and girl classrooms. Should this be encouraged?
TOPIC: LEAVING CAMPUS FOR LUNCHShould students be able to leave campus to go to lunch? Why or why not?
TOPIC: PARENTING CLASSESShould people be required to take and pass a parenting class in order to have a child?
TOPIC: THE DEATH PENALTYShould the death penalty be an option for crimes? What crimes? Where do we draw the line?
TOPIC: SMOKINGShould smoking be made illegal?
TOPIC: ANIMAL TESTINGShould we test medicines and other products on animals?
TOPIC: KIDS GETTING PAID TO GO TO SCHOOLShould kids get paid to go to school?
TOPIC: CORPORAL PUNISHMENTShould teachers be allowed to paddle or otherwise physically punish a student for misbehaving?
TOPIC: LONGER DAYS, SHORTER WEEKSShould schools have only four days a week but longer hours?
