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fandomhigh2010-05-27 05:52 am
glasses-justice.livejournal.com) wrote in fandomhigh2010-05-27 05:52 am
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Anatomy of a Trial [Period 4, Class #3, 5-27]
"Welcome back," Alex said, nodding at her group. They were in the Danger Room once more, which should not be very surprising to the students. It was a wonder Alex didn't move every class here, considering how at home she felt in the courtroom. Even, yes, a fake one.
"I hope you rehearsed your opening statements," she began, "because that is what we're starting with. Each of you will stand up, explain whether you're representing the prosecution or the defense, and approach the jury. Give your opening statement. Don't be nervous -- if it helps, remember that they're just constructs of this room. Be clear, and confident, and address them as you might a co-worker, or an acquaintance. The jury is helping you seek justice, no matter which side you represent. You don't need to flatter them, or try to curry favor, but be sure not to alienate them, either. A hostile jury will be less inclined to believe you."
She offered a reassuring smile. "It'll be over before you know it. Once you're finished, we'll discuss, and your classmates and I can offer feedback. Supportive feedback, I'd like to add, because I won't tolerate any of you being rude." The smile was replace with a very firm death glare, just to underscore that particular point. "Point out weaknesses, but also strengths. Make constructive suggestions. It's a process, one we'll be going through together.
"And once we've finished that, we'll talk a little about examining witnesses -- which is, naturally, what you'll be doing in class next week."
(OOC: Alex's sample opening statement (in the marked OCD thread below) discusses violent crime and predatory behavior, and thus could be triggery. Please avoid if that is upsetting. The rest of class should be fine.)
"I hope you rehearsed your opening statements," she began, "because that is what we're starting with. Each of you will stand up, explain whether you're representing the prosecution or the defense, and approach the jury. Give your opening statement. Don't be nervous -- if it helps, remember that they're just constructs of this room. Be clear, and confident, and address them as you might a co-worker, or an acquaintance. The jury is helping you seek justice, no matter which side you represent. You don't need to flatter them, or try to curry favor, but be sure not to alienate them, either. A hostile jury will be less inclined to believe you."
She offered a reassuring smile. "It'll be over before you know it. Once you're finished, we'll discuss, and your classmates and I can offer feedback. Supportive feedback, I'd like to add, because I won't tolerate any of you being rude." The smile was replace with a very firm death glare, just to underscore that particular point. "Point out weaknesses, but also strengths. Make constructive suggestions. It's a process, one we'll be going through together.
"And once we've finished that, we'll talk a little about examining witnesses -- which is, naturally, what you'll be doing in class next week."
(OOC: Alex's sample opening statement (in the marked OCD thread below) discusses violent crime and predatory behavior, and thus could be triggery. Please avoid if that is upsetting. The rest of class should be fine.)
Re: Opening Statement - Hinata Hyuuga - ANAT03
"It was a cloudy foggy night when Mimi Callahan, left her friend's house with two of her classmates in tow. Th-They were all in high spirits—the end of semester was near, all of them felt they'd do well on their exams, and they'd just come from what was, to all accounts, a very well done party. All three of them had indulged in a few glasses to celebrate the birthday of Michelle Herstein, though Miss Callahan, keeping in mind that she was to drive them home, was careful to space her drinks out and eat and drink other things in-between.
"While turning changing lanes to facilitate turning into the campus dorms, the car Miss Callahan was driving went out of her control. Miss Callahan and her companions were severely injured and it was only the swift response from emergency services which kept them alive so that they could be here today.
"No one else was injured," she said, taking the time to look at the audience before she went into the details of the case, including a report by a mechanic as to the state of the car one week prior to the accident, naming her witnesses that she wished to call to support the ch-character and state of mind of Miss Callahan the evening of the accident, as well as the injury reports and subsequent difficulties all three girls were coping with.
"This was not a deliberate infraction of the law," Hinata concluded quietly. "Miss Callahan—Mimi—has paid already for her miscalculation. Will you make a young girl's life that much harder?"