Julius Caesar Mock Trial What if Julius Caesar had not been assassinated on the Ides of March 44 BC? What if, instead, he had been arrested and put on trial for the destruction of the Roman Republic? For this assignment, you will be putting on a mock trial. You may have to work on this trial outside of class. The prosecution will attempt to prove that he is guilty of the destruction of the Roman Republic. The defense will try to prove that Caesar was actually Rome’s savior, and should be considered a hero, not a traitor. You will receive a group grade and an individual grade. Your group will be graded on both the performance during the trial and the written work that may be done before, during, or after the trial depending on your role. THE PARTIES OF A TRIAL: ► Plaintiff. The plaintiff is the person who begins the suit. In the complaint, the plaintiff states, or alleges, that he or she was injured by the conduct of another. The plaintiff usually is represented by a lawyer. ► Prosecuting Attorney (PA) In this case, the P.A. and the plaintiff will probably be the same person. The P.A. may represent the state (as in the case of murder) because the actual victim (or plaintiff) may not be available. ► Defendant The defendant is the individual sued by the plaintiff. In this trial, you will be presenting a criminal case. The defendant usually is also represented by an attorney. ► Defense Attorney This person disputes the statements or allegations or may admit the allegations, but argue that he/she has a valid defense to the claims (such as self-defense). ► Witnesses Each witness will have specific knowledge of what happened. Witnesses are generally not allowed to present hearsay testimony (such as gossip). Expert witnesses may not know the specific facts in the case but may use their specialized knowledge to help the jury understand complex evidence. ► The Jury The jury is usually a group of ordinary citizens selected to decide the case. A jury usually is made up of a group of six or twelve individuals, depending on state law. In most states, a jury must reach a unanimous verdict. That is, all members of the jury must agree with the decision. Some states allow for less than a unanimous verdict in some civil cases. If less than the required number of jurors agree, then the jury is a "hung jury." That means that the jury was unable to reach a decision. In that case, the case can be tried again. ► Court Reporter The court reporter writes down all questions asked, the answers to them, and any objections made. ► The Bailiff The bailiff is a court officer charged with keeping order in the court and helping the jury. A bailiff also may oversee custody of prisoners while in court during criminal cases and swears in the witnesses. ► The Judge The judge decides which disputed facts (evidence), may be presented to the jury. The judge also tells the jury in "jury instructions" what the applicable law is. The judge decides the issues of law in the case. In this trial, your teacher will act as the judge. GETTING STARTED 1. Join together as teams: Defense, Prosecution, Jury (with bailiff and court reporter) 2. Each witness now begins going through the information to help the case. Each witness must submit at least three questions to the attorney(s) on his/her side. These are the questions that his/her attorney could ask on the witness stand. 3. Lawyers work up a set of questions for witnesses on the other side. 4. On the day before the trial, go over the questions as a team to assure good answers. 5. 6. Witnesses will be graded according to how much they know and how strong they are on the witness stand. Jury members, the bailiff, and the court reporter will meet as a group review trial procedures and Julius Caesar/Roman history OBJECTIONS (USED BY THE ATTORNEYS) 1. Ambiguous- question is vague, uncertain in meaning, or capable of being understood in more than one way. 2. Argumentative the witness makes a conclusion from facts in the case that may differ from another’s. 3. Assumes facts not in evidence- the question may trap the witness into affirming the truth of the assumed fact, without meaning to do so. 4. Badgering- the attorney is asking questions in such a way that is intimidating or upsetting the witness. 5. Calls for speculation- witness is asked to just guess at the answer. 6. Irrelevant- unconnected with the case. 7. Leading- should be made as soon as it becomes apparent that opposing counsel is testifying for the witness. 8. Repetitive questions- question needlessly repeats prior questions without adding to the evidence. The question has previously been asked and answered. ORDER OF TRIAL PROCEEDINGS 1. Beginning the trial, the bailiff brings in first the jury, next the prosecutor, and finally the defense. 2. The bailiff announces, “All rise. The Celebrated High Court of Jennings County is now in session; the Honorable Judge ___________ is presiding.” Everyone remains standing until the judge enters and takes the bench 3. The judge asks the bailiff to call the day’s calendar and the bailiff says, “Your Honor, today’s case is The State vs. Julius Caesar.” 4. The judge then asks the attorneys for each side if they are ready to begin the trial. 5. Prosecution's opening statement. (2-5 min) 6. Defense's opening statement. (2-5 min.) 7. Prosecution calls first witness. 8. First witness to witness box, and the bailiff swears him/her in. “Do you promise that the testimony you are about to give will faithfully and truthfully conform to the facts of the story and rules and the mock trial?” 9. Direct examination. (4-7 min.) 10. Cross-examination. (4-7 min.) 11. Redirect or re-cross, if requested. 12. Witness steps down. 13. Call of next witness (repeat steps 9-13 for each witness) 14. Prosecution rests. 15. Defense calls first witness (repeat steps 9-13 for each witness) 16. Prosecution closing argument. (2-5 min.) 17. Defense closing argument. (2-5 min.) 18. Prosecution rebuttal. (optional) 19. Judge gives any final directions to the jury. 20. Jury meets to decide the verdict. 21. Jury returns the verdict. 22. Judge renders sentence. ITEMS DUE AFTER THE TRIAL Plaintiff Group & Defense Group A. Witnesses: Write a paragraph describing who you are in your own words. Add some personal information that is not in the packet to make your character more interesting, but it must be consistent with the information provided. B. Attorney #1 for the prosecution and defense: Write an opening statement explaining why Julius Caesar is guilty (prosecution) or not guilty (defense). Use the information in your notes and in this packet. Each statement should be 6-8 sentences long. C. Attorney #2 for the prosecution and defense: Write a closing statement explaining why Julius Caesar is guilty (prosecution) or not guilty (defense). Use the information in your notes and in this packet. Each statement should be 6-8 sentences long. Courtroom Group A. Jury Information • Write a summary of Jury Trial Webquest & present a poster (before trial) • A 250 word explanation of the verdict and why it was chosen. Include any information that made this clear to you without a reasonable doubt. (after trial) B. Bailiff information • Write a summary of Jury Trial Webquest & present a poster (before trial) • A 250 word paragraph of information you think should have been shown or questions you think should have been asked of the witnesses and comments on how the trial went. (after trial) C. Court Reporter information • Write a summary of Jury Trial Webquest & present a poster (before trial) • Turn in transcript written during trial. Media Group News Reporter(s) & Sketch Artist(s) • Using a newspaper format, write a 250 word article with sketch(es) from the trial in a newspaper. ROLES FOR TRIAL JULIUS CAESAR _____________________ DEF. ATTORNEY 1 ___________________ DEF. ATTORNEY 2 ___________________ MARK ANTONY _____________________ OCTAVIUS CAESAR __________________ MARCUS TRAJANUS _________________ CLAUDIA SEVILLA ___________________ PROS. ATTORNEY 1 _________________ PROS. ATTORNEY 2 _________________ MARCUS BRUTUS ___________________ CAIUS CASSIUS _____________________ MARCUS CICERO ___________________ POMPEY ___________________________ COURT REPORTER __________________ BAILIFF ____________________________ JUROR 1 ___________________________ JUROR 2 ___________________________ JUROR 3 ___________________________ JUROR 4 ___________________________ JUROR 5 ___________________________ JUROR 6 ___________________________ JUROR 7 ___________________________ JUROR 8 ___________________________ JUROR 9 ___________________________ JUROR 10 __________________________ JUROR 11 __________________________ JUROR 12 __________________________ NEWS REPORTER ___________________ NEWS REPORTER ___________________ SKETCH ARTIST ____________________ SKETCH ARTIST ____________________ INDIVIDUAL NAME _____________________________________ GROUP NAME __________________________________ Mock Trial Rubrics 4 INDIVIDUAL EVALUATION RUBRIC 3 2 1 PRESENTATION Presentation shows a great Presentation shows Presentation shows little Presentation shows almost deal of preparation some preparation preparation no preparation RESPONSES Responses are effective Responses are logical Response may be Unable to provide responses and accurate. and somewhat illogical or inaccurate accurate for the situation VOICE QUALITY Voice quality is excellent Voice quality is very Voice quality is not Difficult to understand good strong WRITTEN Written assignment was Written assignment has Written assignment has Written assignment has ASSIGNMENT without errors in grammar a few errors in some errors in grammar frequent errors in grammar and mechanics. grammar and and mechanics. and mechanics. Information has few facts. (COUNTS TWICE) Information is factual and mechanics. Information Information is mostly useful. is factual. factual.( TOTAL POINTS _____________________/ 20_________ PERCENTAGE GRADE _________________________________ GROUP EVALUATION RUBRIC 4 3 2 1 ATTITUDE / ENTHUSIASM All members are enthusiastic. Most members are enthusiastic Some members are enthusiastic Group shows a lack of enthusiasm ON-TASK BEHAVIOR Behavior is on task the majority of the trial. Behavior is on task most of the trial. Behavior is on task infrequently. Behavior is off task during most of the trial. ROLES / Memorized roles. Superior PERFORMANCE performance. Memorized some of roles. Performance somewhat effective PREPAREDNESS Group shows evidence of practice. (COUNTS TWICE) Most members are prepared. Memorized little of roles. Memorized none of roles. Do Do not know characters not know characters well. Group is somewhat prepared. Group is unprepared. TOTAL POINTS _____________________/ 20_________ PERCENTAGE GRADE _________________________________ WITNESSES FOR THE PROSECUTION: The prosecution must prove that Julius Caesar was destroying the Republic. Brutus 1. You are a Roman patrician, descended from one of the founding families of Rome. 2. You were once one of Julius Caesar’s closest friends but turned against him when you realized that he was becoming too powerful and was destroying the Roman Republic: • He ignored the Senate, and often issued his own laws, stating that they were “Senatorial Decrees.” • He doubled the size of the Senate by including all of his friends and loyal allies. This way if anyone were to disagree with his policies they would be outvoted by all of his supporters in the Senate. • He ignored the tradition of holding elections for government officials, such as consuls, simply appointing his friends and supporters to those positions. • He had the Senate (full of his supporters) vote to name him “Dictator for Life”—this was insane because a dictator has absolute imperium and the only limit on his power was always the shortness of his term (6 months or the length of the emergency). Cassius 1. You are a Roman patrician and a member of the Senate. You feared his ambition was to make himself king. 2. He had been behaving like a king, doing things no leader of the Roman Republic would ever do: • He issued coins with his own picture on them. • He allowed his sculptures to be carved in the form of gods (for example, Jupiter with the features of Caesar.) • The Senate granted him the right to wear the laurel wreath and purple and gold toga and sit in a gilded chair at public functions • He required others (including Senators, like you) to stand in his presence, while he sat in his gold chair. • He gave the Senate no power or respect. • You fear that he would soon declare himself king and his half-Egyptian son Caesarion as his heir. Cicero 1. You are an expert on the Constitution of the Roman Republic. You are here to show how Caesar’s actions violated the Constitution of the Roman Republic • He declared himself “Dictator for Life.” According to the Constitution a dictator is chosen by the consuls (not by himself) and only serves for 6 months or the length of the emergency—not for life!) • He gave the Senate no power. He filled the Senate with his supporters, so whenever he wanted a law passed, he would just tell his supporters to issue a “Senatorial Decree.” • Whenever he addressed the Senate, he would require the Senators to stand, while he sat before them, like a king addressing his subjects. • He was so popular with the common people that the Plebeian Council approved anything he suggested. Pompey 1. You are called Pompeius Magnus (Pompey the Great), because of many accomplishments as a military leader. You fought rebels in Africa, helped to conquer Hispania (Spain), and gained new territory in the Middle East. You were given the task of eliminating pirates from the Mediterranean, accomplished in a single summer. 2. You were the youngest Roman ever to be chosen as consul –the Senate made an exception to the rules because of your accomplishments. You served as consul for many years. 3. When you first met Julius Caesar, he reminded you of yourself as a young man: talented and ambitious. 4. You married Julius Caesar’s daughter, but she later died in childbirth. 5. You served as a triumvirate (3 consuls rather than two) with Crassus and Julius Caesar. 6. You saw that the more power Julius Caesar was given, the more he wanted. That’s why you and the Senate told Caesar not to enter Rome with his army – you knew he wouldn’t stop until he had complete power – and history proved you right. 7. You think Caesar couldn’t bear the thought of working as a team with you and the senate, or perhaps losing his power back in Rome. 8. You blame Caesar for your death at the hands of Ptolemy XIII, King of Egypt. WITNESSES FOR THE DEFENSE: The defense must show that Julius Caesar was a great man, who restored peace after a century of civil war and violence. (Caesar was good!) Claudia Sevilla 1. You and your husband once were unemployed farmers living off of the free grain in Rome until Julius Caesar became “Dictator for Life.” Your families had owned land in your grandfathers’ lives, but after several years of bad harvests, they had gone into debt, and then they had been forced to sell their land to wealthy Senators. Before Julius Caesar, you had no money for rent, so your husband had to sell his votes in the Plebeian Council to get rent money. You had no land and no pride. 2. Julius Caesar provided your family with land in Gaul, where you now have a small but prosperous farm. Now you have your own home and farm where you are raising your family. Now you take great pride in being a patriotic Roman citizen. 3. Last year, you heard of a publican (tax collector) who was collecting more tax money than he was supposed to in your region, but when Julius Caesar found out, he had the man arrested, had forced him to return the money, and had him put in jail. The new publican is much more honest. Marcus Trajanus 1. You are a Spaniard, not a Roman. 2. Ever since the end of the Second Punic War, when Spain was taken over by Rome, the Romans have treated you and your people as conquered subjects, until Julius Caesar came to power. 3. Caesar did not have any prejudices against the native Spanish people. He allowed them to join the army and to hold important positions in the local government (governing cities and regions in Spain). 4. Under Caesar, you served as the governor of a region in southern Spain, and then he asked you to join the Senate, where you were serving when you heard he was arrested. 5. You think that Caesar believes in giving the conquered people political rights, which the Romans stopped doing after the Punic Wars. You think this will be good for Rome. Mark Antony 1. You are Caesar’s best friend. 2. You understand that he made himself “Dictator for Life” because Rome was in a state of emergency. Ever since Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus, the city has been full of violence—both riots and civil wars. Under Marius and Sulla, thousands were killed for their political loyalties and in the civil wars. 3. By making himself “Dictator for Life,” Caesar was able to restore peace and order in Rome. 4. By appointing officials, such as consuls, he ended the corruption and promises that politicians were making to get elected. He was able to appoint men who were well-qualified for the job and honest. 5. Unlike Marius and Sulla, Caesar followed a policy of forgiveness toward his political opponents. He did not have anyone killed or confiscate anyone’s property because of their political loyalties. Octavius Caesar (You think he was good but not perfect. You are hoping to take his place as leader of Rome, but don’t tell anyone this.) 1. You are Julius Caesar’s nephew, the son of his sister. Last year he adopted you as his son. 2. You believe that Julius Caesar was a great leader, who took the title “Dictator for Life” to restore peace and order in Rome. 3. You believe that Caesar had to seize control because the old Roman Republic was already dead, a result of corruption, greed, poor leadership, and civil war. All the senators cared about was getting richer, not about doing what was best for Rome, and all the military leaders cared about was using their armies to seize power. The old ways of the Republic led us to civil war, and only a strong leader could restore the glory and strength of Rome. 4. You admit that Julius Caesar may have made some mistakes. You disagree with the way he treated the Senate, because by ignoring them he just made them all angry. You feel he should have treated them with more respect, giving the Senators some power, but not too much.
