CHC 2D1:  Grade 10 Canadian History

 

Roles and Responsibilities: Trials of Canadian Prime Ministers

 

Ø  NOTE:  Students will sit as lawyers (crown or defense) in teams but will be marked individually

LAWYER / ATTORNEY

WITNESSES / PRIME MINISTER
  • Prepare a case (charge or defend) based upon the specific charge to the Prime Minister  (each student is responsible for one charge)
  • acquire  pre-trial knowledge by consulting various textbooks
  • collect a minimum of THREE PIECES OF VISUAL EVIDENCE, such as primary documents, quotes, newspaper articles, pictures, tables or statistics, to build up support for their case. These should be put on overhead / powerpoint.
    (Note: Most trials are won or lost based on the quality and quantity of evidence presented during the trial, make an impact!)
  • meet with the attorneys prior to the trial to learn  role in the trial
  • exchange email / phone #
  • Choose a historical (real) witness to be role played by a fellow student
  • Research character of witness and study notes / background information provided by lawyer
  • Prepare your witness  (developing significant and relevant questions for your witness; defence’s witness and defendant; NOTE:  you may rehearse the answers with your own witness but witness may not bring a script to the stand.   The lawyer can ask the witness to read any visual evidnece from overhead as long as it is accompanied by a question
  • Study questions / answers from own attorneys for direct examination  (NOTE:  witnesses are NOT allowed to bring script up to witness stand)

 
  • Prepare the witness for possible questions by the defence attorneys
  • Study and prepare for possible questions from the opposing attorneys
  • Prepare an opening and closing statement for specific charge

 
  • Prepare a typed FACT SHEET for date of trial (see handout).

 
  • Clearly understand the nature and purpose of objections during the trial as well as trial order / sequencing

 
  • dress appropriately

 
  • Act and dress in role / character

 

Tips

Ø Always stand when speaking and speak to the jury. 

Ø Each lawyer should have the Trial Sequence sheet and the Objection Sheet at your desk

Ø use visuals  (images, quotes, statistics, charts, graphs, maps)

Ø Use large font and bold , underline, italics or highlight tool on overhead transparencies / powerpoints / visuals

Ø Always include the source under all evidence (or use footnotes)

Ø Organize your evidence so it is easy to read and follow 

Ø Have members of your team help with AV (overhead transparencies, powerpoint, slideshow) while you are presenting your opening / closing, direct examination or cross examination

Ø Ask clear and concise questions during examination and cross examination. 

Ø Present your evidence during the opening statement as well as when questioning the witnesses. 

Ø Always make clear connections and provide analysis and conclusions between your evidence, arguments and the charge / defense of charge

Ø face your opponents but also open yourself to the jury  (do not speak with your back to them)

Ø be confidence:  eye contact, clear voice

Ø prepare and practice your opening / closing  and questioning (use all your time as most efficiently as possible)

Ø dress professionally

**PENALTIES**

Ø  Due dates for presentations will be firm! Only serious illness or family emergency will be accepted as excuse from a trial. A medical note must be presented, and the teacher must be contacted the morning of the trial is someone is to be absent. Failure to meet a deadline will result in a mark of zero being awarded for that component of the oral exam