Presentation for Judges
What is this Competition?
• Simulation of a civil jury trial
• Students portray attorneys and witnesses
• Fictitious jurisdiction of Midlands– Midlands has its own case law– Midlands has its own statutes– Midlands has its own rules of evidence (that
closely mirror the FREs)
This Year’s Case:Park v. Duran
• Summary: In 2010, Sydney Park invited classmate Jesse Duran to hang out at the Parks’ home. Both children were 11 years old. The Parks keep a gun in their home. That morning, the gun was discharged, killing Sydney. Sydney’s parents have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Jesse’s parent, Hayden Duran.
• If you have heard this case before, be aware that you may see a very different round this time because:– The Plaintiff team gets to choose between two very different
theories of liability, and the Defense team has the option of raising affirmative defenses.
– The teams are choosing witnesses from a pool of twelve options.– One of the witnesses has two very different depositions and may
differ significantly between rounds.
What is your role?
• You are here to “judge” the competition. You will do so in panels of two or more individuals.
• Judges fill three roles:– Preside over the trial (one person per
round)– Score the trial (two people per round)– Provide feedback (everyone)– Reach a verdict
Your Role: Presiding Over the Trial
• One judge will preside over the trial and act as judge in the courtroom—ruling on objections and keeping the trial moving.
• Trial consists of:• Pre-Trial Matters (including introductions)• Opening statements• Plaintiff case-in-chief (three witnesses)• Customary break• Defense case-in-chief (three witnesses)• Customary break• Closing Arguments (including rebuttal)
Your Role:Presiding Over the Trial
• Differences from Real-World trials:– Both teams must:
• Present opening statements at the start of trial• Call three witnesses• Cross-examine all witnesses called
– There are:• NO objections to openings or closings• NO motions in limine, for a directed verdict, or mistrial• NO side bars• NO objections or questions from the judges• NO scope limitations on cross-examination (but scope is
limited on re-direct and re-cross examination)• NO requirements that expert witnesses be tendered
Your Role:Scoring the Trial
• Two judges will score the trial using this blue (carbon paper) ballot.
Your Role:Scoring the Trial
• Left = plaintiff/prosecution
• Right = defense
• Score 1-10– 10 is high score– Use whole numbers
(fractions/decimals will be disregarded)
Your Role:Scoring the Trial
• Score on the blue ballot as the trial proceeds. – Please do not wait
until the end of the round to decide on scores.
• Score on your own.– Please do not
collaborate with other judges on scores.
Your Role:Scoring the Trial
• Score differences between teams.– Scale doesn’t
matter, just be internally consistent.
– Point differential is what matters.
Your Role:Scoring the Trial
• There are SEPARATE scores for: – Opening statements– Direct examinations– Cross examinations– Closing arguments– Witnesses on direct and
cross.
• There are NO SEPARATE scores for:– Pre-trial matters– Re-direct examinations– Re-cross examinations– Rebuttal– Objection arguments.
Your Role:Scoring the Trial
• At the end of the round, please rank the top four attorneys and witnesses from the round.
Your Role:Scoring the Trial
• Differences from other competitions:–Witnesses are scored• On both direct-examination and cross-
examination
–Witnesses are allowed to costume– Attorneys and witnesses are allowed to
use demonstrative aids (subject to objection)
Your Role:Scoring the Trial
• Differences from other competitions:– This competition has NO “invention of fact”
objection, but the rules do allow for impeachment if there is an invention of fact.• Teams may NOT invent a material fact on direct-
examination—such inventions are subject to impeachment.
• If you believe a successful impeachment has occurred, you should reflect that in your score by penalizing the the violating team, rewarding the impeaching team, or both.
Your Role:Commenting
• All scoring judges should receive FOUR comment sheets (more carbon paper):– Students will fill
out their names, roles, and team code.
Your Role:Commenting
• There are blanks to write comments on all parts.
• Non-shaded boxes are for plaintiff or prosecution parts.
• Shaded boxes are for defense parts.
Your Role:Commenting
• Students will get copies of written comments.
• After the trial is complete, please provide a few minutes of verbal feedback as well.
Roles of Others:Students
• Students act as competitors in the trial. – Students’ school identity should remain
anonymous until after the round.• Note that all trials are public. Do not assume the
identity of the teams based on who enters the courtroom.
• Students act as timekeepers. – The trial has a three-hour time limit and each part
of the trial has time limits. – The students will keep you informed of time limits. – Please enforce time limits when you are informed
of them.
Roles of Others:AMTA Representatives
• AMTA Representatives ensure that all rules are followed.
• AMTA Representatives may enter the courtroom to inform you of time limit issues, please follow their instructions.
• AMTA Representatives may enter the courtroom to resolve a conflict brought to their attention by students, please follow their instructions.
Summarizing: The Big Things to Take Away
• Presiding:– Let students argue, but listen to any time limitations
students bring to your attention.
• Scoring:– Score on performance, not merits of the case.– Score as the trial proceeds, not at the end of the
round.– Fill in all blanks on blue score sheet legibly.
• Commenting:– Students will get copies of all written comments.– Provide verbal feedback, but keep it to 10 minutes or
less for the entire judging panel combined.
What happens next?
• You will be assigned to a judging panel.– Each panel will be at least two people.
• You will be assigned to a room.– If you have already judged a team in that room
at this tournament, then please do not begin the trial and let us know of the potential conflict.
– If you are somehow affiliated with a team in that room (e.g. your child is on the team), then please do not begin the trial and let us know of the potential conflict.