Each side has a total of 15 minutes to make their case
Within that 15 minutes you may call any of the scheduled witnesses (present in the court room)
Redirects will be subtracted from your total argument time
A single redirect may not be longer than two minutes
Generally speaking, the attorney on the opposing side is responsible for raising objections which will be either sustained or overruled by the judge.
If the judge sustains an objection, the attorney must withdraw and/or revise the line of question accordingly.
Both the prosecution and the defense may call from this witness list.
You may call a witness to the stand only once.
You can only ask the witness questions*; you may not make comments to the witness; paraphrase the witness’s response; or in any way presume to speak for the witness or to the witness on the behalf of your client
You do not have to call all three (or any) of the witnesses.
Once one side has finished questioning a witness, the other side will have 2 minutes for a redirect regardless of whether they also plan to call the witness. Redirect questions must be related to the questions and/or responses just raised by the other side’s line of questioning. You may not begin new and/or unrelated lines of questioning during the redirects.
*Questions to the witness should be: –
clear & coherent-
concise & precise-
relevant to the case-
within the particular scope of issues on which the witness has been called forth to speak.
Questions should NOT–
lead the witness-
badger the witness-
require witnesses to speak for or on behalf of any party other than the witness –
be repetitive (If a witness answers, you cannot ask the same question again.)- be outside the witness’s scope of expertise and/or relevant experience-
be based on hearsay or encourage responses that may forward hearsay-
speculate for the witness and/or ask the witness to speculate on hypothetical information
Trial Case Roles
Prosecution –
Submit a 30 second opening argument (which should be an overview of the reasoning, ie. arguments, you will substantiate with evidence during the trial).
Call and question eyewitnesses and/or expert witnesses. You may only question the defendant if the defense puts him/her on the stand, in which case you may subject the defendant(s) to redirect;
Redirect defense’s witness questions.
Raise objections where warranted to question posed by Defense.
Provide a 30-45 second closing statement.
Defense Attorney(s) –
Submit a 30 second opening argument (which should be an overview of the reasoning, ie arguments, you will substantiate with evidence during the trial).
Call and question eyewitnesses, expert witnesses, and/or the defense as your case strategy and time allow.
Redirect prosecution’s witness questions.
Raise objections where warranted to question posed by prosecution.
Provide a 30-45 second closing statement.
Defendants –
Work with defense attorneys to build case.
Enter plea at the start of the trial.
May be called to the stand by defense, in which case may be subjected to prosecution redirect.
May offer in lieu of the defense’s closing argument an up to 1 minute address to the court.
Eye Witnesses –
Remain present where bailiff positions you outside the court room until bailiff escorts you the stand.
Swear in.
Answer questions posed to you by the attorney at the stand and/or the judge.
Do not address any other participant in the trial or member of the court.
Step down and return to waiting area as directed to do so by bailiff operations under the judge’s directions.
You may be called testify again for the opposing side.
Expert Witness-
Remain present where bailiff positions you outside the court room until bailiff escorts you the stand.
Swear in.
Answer questions posed to you by the attorney at the stand and/or the judge.
Do not address any other participant in the trial or member of the court.
Step down and return to waiting area as directed to do so by bailiff operations under the judge’s directions.
You may be called testify again for the opposing side.
Court Staff Roles (5-8)
Prosecution time tracker-
Tallies minutes prosecution spends making arguments, questioning witnesses, and redirecting defense’s witness questions.
Raises 7 minute and 3 minute warning flags at 7 and 3 minutes respectively.
Defense time tracker –
Tallies minutes defense spends making arguments, questioning witnesses, and redirecting prosecution’s witness questions.
Raises 7 minute and 3 minute warning flags at 7 and 3 minutes respectively.
Redirect time keepers (potentially 2) –
Tracks the time of each redirect.
Provides 30 second warning flag at the 30 second mark.
Bailiff –
Holds witness rosters;
Escorts witnesses in and out of court room;
Swears witnesses in
Keeps track of overall case time;
Assists judge with miscellany
Court stenographer One –
Records all aspects of the trial, paying especial attention to arguments raised and evidence submitted by both sides.
Court stenographer Two –
Records all aspects of the trial, paying particular attention to redirects, objections raised, and rulings on objections.
Court stenographer Three-
Records all aspects of the trial, paying special attention to questions posed to witnesses and witnesses response.