Law Enforcement’s Role in Court
Media Type: Video
Duration: 13 minutes
Goal: To explore the responsibilities of officers when testifying in court.
Description: This presentation describes the role police officers play in court proceedings.
Methods of preparation before testifying in court are discussed, including reviewing reports and
meeting with prosecutors. Additionally, effective testimony is analyzed and tips for testifying are
provided.
Objectives:
1. To identify how officers participate in legal proceedings.
2. To discuss methods of preparation before testifying in court.
3. To analyze effective testimony and factors contributing to the credibility of witnesses.
Horizontal Alignment
Core-Subject
Area
Foundation Concept
Basic Understanding
Application of Writing Skills
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Descriptive, informative and creative writing
Organizing logical arguments
Brainstorming
Analyzing audiences
Utilizing reference materials
Enhancing grammatical mechanics
Vocabulary enhancement
Analysis of Text & Information
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Drawing inferences and generalizations
Reading/content literacy
Critical thinking
Values and ethics
Expression of thoughts and ideas
Communication skills
Developing listening and comprehension skills
Technology Applications in Literature
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Internet-based research
Language
Arts
Law Enforcement’s Role in Court
Class 1: Begin class by passing out the Law
Enforcement’s Role in Court Vocabulary
Handout and Worksheet for students to
reference during the presentation. Show
the
Responsibilities
segment.
Video
7 min.
Administer the segment Assessment.
Have students complete the Courtroom
Work Group Activity.
Class 2: Remind students to continue using the
Vocabulary Handout and Worksheet.
Show the Effective Testimony segment
of the presentation and follow with the
Assessment. Introduce the Mock
Video
6 min.
Testimony Activity and refer to the
Teacher Instruction Sheet regarding its
completion.
Class 3: Have students finish
Testimony Activity.
the
Mock
Class 4: Have students read the Summons
Student Handout and complete the
Summons Process Activity.
Class 5: Have students begin the Officers in Court
Web Page Project.
Class 6: Administer the Law Enforcement’s Role
in Courts Final Assessment. Have
students share their Projects with the
class.
Police Magazine: How to Testify in Court
 http://www.policemag.com/channel/patrol/
articles/2006/04/how-to-testify-in-court.aspx
PoliceOne.com: Are You Ready to Testify?
 https://www.policeone.com/legal/articles/1459523Are-you-ready-to-testify/
SkillsUSA
 Criminal Justice
Using the Career Connections Activity, allow students
to explore the various careers associated with this
lesson. See the Activity for more details. If student
licenses have been purchased: Students will select the
interviews to watch based on your directions. If only a
teacher license is purchased: Show students all the
career interviews and instruct them to only complete
the interview form for the required number of
interviews.
 iCEV50613, Dennis Lane, Retired Police Officer,
City of Raleigh Police Department
 iCEV50438, Shaun Benetiz, Detention Officer,
Lubbock County Sheriff’s Department
 iCEV50999, Sheila Kidwell, J.D., Attorney,
Crenshaw, Dupree & Milam, L.L.P.
Law Enforcement’s Role in Court
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Courtroom Work Group
A
Directions:
Students will identify the purpose and members of the courtroom work group. They should also briefly explain each core N
member’s role.
Mock Testimony
Directions:
Students will work in groups of three to simulate courtroom testimony by an officer. For each group, one member will
play prosecutor, one will play defense attorney and the third will play an officer. The group should work together to
simulate pre-trial meetings. Then, each group should demonstrate their mock testimony for the class. After each group,
the class should analyze the officer’s testimony and discuss whether it was effective, why and what could have made it
more or less effective. For more details, see the Teacher Instruction Sheet.
Summons Process
Directions:
Using the Summons Student Handout as a guide, students will conduct research to create a summons and go through
the summons process.
Officers in Court Web Page
Directions:
Students will create a web page with tips for testifying police officers. They should include advice on preparation and the
pre-trial meeting, as well as demeanor and attire when testifying.