Presentation for Judges
What is this Competition?
• Simulation of a civil jury trial
• Students portray attorneys and witnesses
• Fictitious jurisdiction of Midlands
– Midlands has its own case law
– Midlands has its own statutes
– Midlands has its own rules of evidence (that
closely mirror the FREs)
This Year’s Case:
Park v. Duran
• Summary: In 2010, Sydney Park invited classmate Jesse Duran
to hang out at the Parks’ home. Both children were 11 years
old. The Parks keep a gun in their home. That morning, the
gun was discharged, killing Sydney. Sydney’s parents have
filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Jesse’s parent, Hayden
Duran.
• If you have heard this case before, be aware that you may see
a very different round this time because:
– The Plaintiff team gets to choose between two very different
theories of liability, and the Defense team has the option of
raising affirmative defenses.
– The teams are choosing witnesses from a pool of twelve options.
– One of the witnesses has two very different depositions and may
differ significantly between rounds.
What is your role?
• You are here to “judge” the competition.
You will do so in panels of two or more
individuals.
• Judges fill three roles:
– Preside over the trial (one person per round)
– Score the trial (two people per round)
– Provide feedback (everyone)
– Reach a verdict
Your Role:
Presiding Over the Trial
• One judge will preside over the trial and act
as judge in the courtroom—ruling on
objections and keeping the trial moving.
• Trial consists of:
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Pre-Trial Matters (including introductions)
Opening statements
Plaintiff case-in-chief (three witnesses)
Customary break
Defense case-in-chief (three witnesses)
Customary break
Closing Arguments (including rebuttal)
Your Role:
Presiding Over the Trial
• Differences from Real-World trials:
– Both teams must:
• Present opening statements at the start of trial
• Call three witnesses
• Cross-examine all witnesses called
– There are:
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NO objections to openings or closings
NO motions in limine, for a directed verdict, or mistrial
NO side bars
NO objections or questions from the judges
NO scope limitations on cross-examination (but scope is
limited on re-direct and re-cross examination)
• NO requirements that expert witnesses be tendered
Your Role:
Scoring the Trial
• Two judges will score
the trial using this
blue (carbon paper)
ballot.
Your Role:
Scoring the Trial
• Left =
plaintiff/prosecution
• Right = defense
• Score 1-10
– 10 is high score
– Use whole numbers
(fractions/decimals
will be disregarded)
Your Role:
Scoring the Trial
• Score on the blue
ballot as the trial
proceeds.
– Please do not wait
until the end of the
round to decide on
scores.
• Score on your own.
– Please do not
collaborate with
other judges on
scores.
Your Role:
Scoring the Trial
• Score differences
between teams.
– Scale doesn’t
matter, just be
internally
consistent.
– Point differential is
what matters.
Your Role:
Scoring the Trial
• There are SEPARATE scores
for:
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Opening statements
Direct examinations
Cross examinations
Closing arguments
Witnesses on direct and cross.
• There are NO SEPARATE
scores for:
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Pre-trial matters
Re-direct examinations
Re-cross examinations
Rebuttal
Objection arguments.
Your Role:
Scoring the Trial
• At the end of the
round, please rank
the top four
attorneys and
witnesses from the
round.
Your Role:
Scoring the Trial
• Differences from other competitions:
– Witnesses are scored
• On both direct-examination and cross-examination
– Witnesses are allowed to costume
– Attorneys and witnesses are allowed to use
demonstrative aids (subject to objection)
Your Role:
Scoring the Trial
• Differences from other competitions:
– This competition has NO “invention of fact”
objection, but the rules do allow for
impeachment if there is an invention of fact.
• Teams may NOT invent a material fact on directexamination—such inventions are subject to
impeachment.
• If you believe a successful impeachment has
occurred, you should reflect that in your score by
penalizing the the violating team, rewarding the
impeaching team, or both.
Your Role:
Commenting
• All scoring judges
should receive FOUR
comment sheets (more
carbon paper):
– Students will fill
out their names,
roles, and team
code.
Your Role:
Commenting
• There are blanks to
write comments on
all parts.
• Non-shaded boxes
are for plaintiff or
prosecution parts.
• Shaded boxes are
for defense parts.
Your Role:
Commenting
• Students will get
copies of written
comments.
• After the trial is
complete, please
provide a few
minutes of verbal
feedback as well.
Roles of Others:
Students
• Students act as competitors in the trial.
– Students’ school identity should remain anonymous
until after the round.
• Note that all trials are public. Do not assume the identity of
the teams based on who enters the courtroom.
• Students act as timekeepers.
– The trial has a three-hour time limit and each part of
the trial has time limits.
– The students will keep you informed of time limits.
– Please enforce time limits when you are informed of
them.
Roles of Others:
AMTA Representatives
• AMTA Representatives ensure that all
rules are followed.
• AMTA Representatives may enter the
courtroom to inform you of time limit
issues, please follow their instructions.
• AMTA Representatives may enter the
courtroom to resolve a conflict brought to
their attention by students, please follow
their instructions.
Summarizing:
The Big Things to Take Away
• Presiding:
– Let students argue, but listen to any time limitations
students bring to your attention.
• Scoring:
– Score on performance, not merits of the case.
– Score as the trial proceeds, not at the end of the
round.
– Fill in all blanks on blue score sheet legibly.
• Commenting:
– Students will get copies of all written comments.
– Provide verbal feedback, but keep it to 10 minutes or
less for the entire judging panel combined.
What happens next?
• You will be assigned to a judging panel.
– Each panel will be at least two people.
• You will be assigned to a room.
– If you have already judged a team in that room at
this tournament, then please do not begin the trial
and let us know of the potential conflict.
– If you are somehow affiliated with a team in that
room (e.g. your child is on the team), then please
do not begin the trial and let us know of the
potential conflict.