Mock trial blog

So you opted to be a witness in the mock trial rather than a lawyer?  Uh-oh. Lawyers only have to ask a bunch of questions.  Thats easy.  As a witness, you need to have all the answers.  Here are a few tips to survive the ritual of a senior year mock trial without being too traumatized.

1)    Read your witness statement over and over.  You will find that you don’t really absorb it until you practice your direct-examination and cross-examination with your classmates.  After you practice a few times, you will find that you absorb it better when you re-read it because you know what will be asked.

2)    Know how you spell your name.  In real life, judges often ask a witness to spell his or her name.  Learn how to spell your mock trial name so you can provide the spelling without choking in front of the class.

3)    Answer questions verbally. Court proceedings are audio-recorded.  A nod of the head doesn’t cut it.

4) Try to make eye contact wit the jurors when you testify. Making eye contact with the judge is not important except when you are being sworn in.

5)   Try out the witness chair before the trial begins. Sitting in the witness seat can be daunting.  When you first sit down to testify, the whole “Law-and-Order” ambience can be a little overwhelming.  Test drive the seat, the chair, the cushion, and the positioning of the mic before you testify, so when you get sworn in for reals you can focus on the task at hand.

6)   Remind your lawyer to protect you before the trial. If you are being badgered by a lawyer, you can’t object.  Remind your lawyer classmate, that after they do the direct exam, that they need to be prepared to object at questions asked of you, rather than go on a mental vacation.  Facing hard questions is part of being a witness, but you don’t want to be hung out to dry either.

7)    Dress for the part. If you are an expert witness, or a doctor etc, it is better to dress up a little to fit the part.  Ask your coach if you can borrow a tie.  He may even show you how to tie it.  At a minimum, no shorts or tank tops for mock trial court or real court.

8 )   Remember what “sustained” and “overruled” mean. When a lawyer objects, don’t try to answer the question until the judge rules.  ”Overruled” means you can answer.  If the judge says “sustained”, just wait for the next question.