Mock Trial Closing Arguments for Prosecution

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Mock Trial Closing Arguments for Prosecution

September 14, 2011 by mocktrialblahblahblah

So you are nearing the end of your mock trial, and now it is time for you to do your closing argument. Hopefully you have given this a little thought before it is your turn to get up and speak. Unlike an opening statement, which can be written entirely in advance, the closing argument has to be written as the trial goes along. It has to be adjusted depending on what evidence is admitted by the trial court. The mock trial closing argument will depend a lot on the particular facts of your case, but I will try to make a few suggestions on how you can sketch out an outline.

You are an Advocate for One Side

Remember that your closing argument is just that, an argument. You need to convince the jury of the merits of your arguments – not to consider the facts from a neutral point of view. No matter what sort of case the prosecutor is handling, the prosecutor’s position is always the same: there is no reasonable doubt.

Echo Your Opening Statement

Much like an opening statement, you begin by thanking the jurors for their time. You want to remind the jury of what you said in your opening. For example: “Good afternoon ladies and and gentlemen – thank you for your time and attention to this very important matter here today. As I [or my colleague] stated this morning, the evidence against so-and-so is really overwhelming, and we would ask you to return a verdict of guilty.”

Cover the Elements of the Crime

Every crime has elements, i.e. the things the prosecutor has to prove to make a case. For example the elements of residential burglary, are:

1) entering without permission,

2) into a residence,

3) with the intent to commit a crime.

Look at the mock trial materials your teacher or coach gave you and consider what the elements of the crime are in your case. In other words, what does a prosecutor have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt?

Making Compelling Arguments

After you argue how each point is proven in your mock trial case, then you have to tie it all together in a cohesive way, and present the argument with emotion. If the jury does not see that you believe in your case, then they themselves will not believe in your case. You can use sayings, axioms, famous quotes, reference to literature and popular culture, understatement, hyperbole, mild sarcasm, appropriate humor, rhetorical questions, and appeals to patriotism, common sense, and notions of justice. So applying those ideas to the crime of residential burglary, you might say: Well the defendant says he didn’t go in the home to commit a crime, just to use the phone. Is he the only person on the planet without a cell phone? Couldn’t he have just asked to borrow a phone from a passerby? There is a saying that where there is smoke there is fire. Courts are a place where a lot of technical rules apply, but that doesn’t mean that you have to check you common sense at the door. The case is really very simple, he got caught with his hand in the cookie jar. His explanation really just amounts to “the cat ate my homework.” Don’t buy it. Hold him accountable and find him guilty.

Now, that is a lot of colorful language all crammed into one paragraph, but the point is to mix in this rhetoric in with your factual arguments?

Post your questions below in the comment section!!!

See more samples of closing arguments here.

Check out the closing arguments on YouTube. Or check out:

Post by Steve Graham.

Posted in Uncategorized | 19 Comments

19 Responses

on November 25, 2012 at 6:08 pm | Reply I need help fast!! (Its due tomorrow!)

I needed a little bit of help though :p
- on November 27, 2012 at 6:59 pm | Reply mocktrialblahblahblah
  
  Hello. I didn’t check my comments for a couple of days. Sorry 😦
on February 5, 2013 at 9:46 am | Reply Kenda Willie

You are a lifesaver. I’m in California and my competition is at the end of this month. I have everything done but the closing statement. I have renewed confidence now.
Question though –
Say the defense gets up and delivers their closing statement along the lines of the elements that the prosecution has failed to prove…would it be wise to have a closing statement written along those same lines but stating what the defense has NOT proven and what the prosecution has? I don’t want to come off like a copy cat….lol.
- on March 23, 2013 at 6:45 am | Reply Jay Em
  
  The defense doesn’t have to prove anything, but you can have an outline ready which describes each element the state had the burden of proving, and what evidence the state used to prove that element. I like to have the jury instructions as to the charges blown up on a display board. As I go through that part of the closing, I’ll walk over to the display and put a check mark to each element as I discuss the evidence presented that proves it.
on February 3, 2015 at 6:39 am | Reply tj phelps

need help due friday
- on February 3, 2015 at 10:06 pm | Reply mocktrialblahblahblah
  
  Tell us what you are facing, TJ
on June 8, 2015 at 8:26 pm | Reply Alejandro Can

I need help on a closing argument for prosecution on a case that is due tomorrow on goldilocks can you please help quick.
- on June 8, 2015 at 8:26 pm | Reply Alejandro Can
  
  It is for a 7th grade class
- on June 9, 2015 at 8:05 pm | Reply mocktrialblahblahblah
  
  I can try if you are still working. What is Goldilocks charged with?
on November 30, 2015 at 7:12 pm | Reply J-Lo

this was so helpful thank you
- on December 2, 2015 at 8:06 pm | Reply mocktrialblahblahblah
  
  Thank you J-Lo
on December 14, 2015 at 7:59 pm | Reply clair

can you help me with a closing statement for R v Jones mock trail? it for gr 11 law
on February 24, 2016 at 8:08 am | Reply HeatherLion

Thanks for your help! This is a really nice, clear website. I’m looking forward to winning! 🙂
on April 28, 2016 at 3:59 pm | Reply Morgan

My class is doing a mock trial and I am on the prosecution team. The case is about the story of the three little pigs and the story from the wolfs perspective. We still don’t have a start for a closing statement and I need help NOW! If you can please help. It would mean the world.
on March 2, 2017 at 3:09 pm | Reply Martin Nguyen

can someone help out with a closing argument ?
on April 16, 2017 at 10:35 am | Reply Preston Kummer

Hello, I’m performing a mock trial Wednesday in my English Comp 2 class in which I’m the persecute Othello for first degree murder. In case you aren’t familiar with the play, Othello walks into the bedroom that he shares with his wife, Desdemona, and smoothers her with a pillow. There is no doubt that he is guilty of murder, but how would you prove without a reasonable doubt that it is premeditated. Before the closing statement we have the honor of calling to the stand witnesses from our own team to present evidence that Othello is guilty and one of the witnesses is known to both despise Othello and be a compulsive liar if that at all helps. Thank you
- on April 26, 2017 at 5:00 pm | Reply mocktrialblahblahblah
  
  I would establish animosity to show motive. And point out that premeditation doesn’t have to be for very long. Just more than a moment in time.
on November 1, 2017 at 2:18 am | Reply JessC

Hi, I’m currently completing a mock trial in my A Level enrichment, any help with the closing statement for prosecution would be amazing, thanks in advance 🙂
on December 2, 2018 at 6:15 am | Reply Daniel

I love how so many people just said I need helphelhelp and didnt say what they needed help on. Thanks a lot for your overviews though