http://glasses-justice.livejournal.com/ (![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png)
glasses-justice.livejournal.com) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
fandomhigh2010-05-27 05:52 am
glasses-justice.livejournal.com) wrote in fandomhigh2010-05-27 05:52 am
Entry tags:
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: Feedback - Hinata Hyuuga - ANAT03
She glanced down at a few notes. "If you're hoping to use mechanical failure as a possible smoking gun, I'd suggest mentioning it earlier; make it seem like another element that set the stage, and not something that came up after. That's mostly a style choice. Similarly, most of your tone is very good, but the line at the end about making her life harder is risky -- certain jurors might insist she did this to herself, and start losing sympathy again. It's a hard line to walk, and a gray area at best."
Another smile, and a gentler one, at that. "It's okay to be nervous. I know attorneys who had to run to the lavatory and be sick the first time they opened a case. You held yourself together really well. Just make sure your voice is loud enough to carry, okay?"
Re: Feedback - Hinata Hyuuga - ANAT03
She let her breath out in a sigh and a nod for the point about her voice being loud enough. "Sh-Should I perhaps mention the prior difficulties with the car as they're leaving the party?" Hinata considered what else... oh. "I... I was not sure how to end it," Hinata admitted. "I suspect that I may have to think of several endings and pick which feels right depending on the mood of the room by the end of my opening. If--If that is alright?"
Was it? She didn't know that winging it would be a great idea, but surely that wouldn't be too bad?
Re: Feedback - Hinata Hyuuga - ANAT03
She smiled, again, hoping that Hinata heard the compliments as well as the critiques. Too many people filtered out one side. "And playing to the room is never a bad idea, if you trust your ability to adapt on your feet. It's a useful skill. It means if you hit a sour note early on, you can excise it from the rest of your opening. Juror #6 suddenly looks like you threatened his dog; play that point more carefully. Things like that."