Fernandez/English 11
A View from the Bridge Unit
The People vs. Eddie Carbone
Mock Trial
Project/Presentation Grade (20%)
Overview/Explanation: This is a mock trial which serves as practice in the art of argumentation—
specifically, writing arguments to support claims and delivering those arguments persuasively,
confidently and respectfully. In this trial the defense team’s job is to vindicate Eddie Carbone from the
position of villain. The defense is charged with the task of portraying Eddie Carbone as an actual victim
to the jurors. They will do this through well-crafted, persuasive courses of reasoning. The defense must
present at least five claims (arguable statements) that they have supported with evidence from the play.
In essence, the defense team must disprove that Eddie is a villain and prove that he is a victim. The
prosecuting team is charged with the task of portraying Eddie Carbone as a villain to the jurors through
well-crafted, persuasive courses of reasoning. The prosecution must also present at least five claims
(arguable statements) that they have supported with evidence from the play. The jury’s job is to
evaluate (decide) which team’s claims were more effective (convincing). The jury must come to this
decision together, and each juror must offer his/her input. Additionally, the jury must present a
written explanation outlining why arguments were more convincing. If you are absent or fail to
participate in the brainstorming portion of the project or in the actual trial, you will receive a zero.
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The Defense Team can earn up to 100 points. Prosecution Team can earn up to 90 points.
Jurors can earn up to 90 points.
Brainstorming & Trial Preparation: Monday, 10/26/15 - 10/30/15
Assemble into your assigned teams (defense, prosecution, jury); grab some plays
Begin discussing how you will defend or prosecute Eddie
o Come up with an Opening Statement (see legal terminology sheet)
o Come up with at least five well-articulated (clear) persuasive (convincing) claims
 Definition of claim: A line of reasoning; it is an arguable statement that has
been backed up with evidence. Your evidence will come from the play.
Choose a recorder (a person with legible handwriting who will be in charge of writing down the
claims)
 Every claim must be backed up with proof from the play. Be sure to identify the
page #s and quote correctly. Do not write out the entire quotation. Use the
ellipsis marks (…)
 In your arguments and claims, you must use at least five (5) words from the
Legal Terminology Sheet.
Come up with a Closing Argument (see legal terminology sheet)
While the defense and prosecution teams are brainstorming, the jury must fill out an Elements
of Drama worksheet for the play.
After the jury has completed and submitted their Elements of Drama worksheet, they may work
on something independently . The trial will begin on Monday, 11/2/15 unless the brainstorming
process is completed earlier.
Fernandez/English 11
A View from the Bridge Unit
Trial: Monday 11/2/15, Wednesday, 11/4/15- Friday, 11/6/15
Guidelines:
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The defense will go first. Each team will take turns speaking. At least three attorneys on each
team must speak.
To speak, the attorney must step up to the podium and deliver the claim. The attorney or
his/her team member must clarify and repeat the claim for the opposing team if necessary.
You may only object once per opposing claim. Objecting to an opposing attorney’s claim means
that you believe it is false, unfair, invalid, etc. The judge (me) will either sustain or overrule the
objection. See the legal terminology sheet for clarification of terms.
One point will be deducted from your team’s grade each time an attorney or juror uses
profanity, abusive language of any kind, and/or behaves in an aggressive manner.
After both the defense and the prosecution have delivered their opening statements, all five of
their claims, and the closing statements, the jury will deliberate.
The trial will be over once the judge accepts the jury’s verdict.
Grading Scale for Defense Team:
 Excellent 100%: Attorneys were prepared; they delivered all five arguments plus opening and
closing statements clearly and convincingly; attorneys were professional (no profanity/abusive
language, etc.); all arguments were well developed; appropriate evidence from the play was
used. Attorneys must incorporate at least five words from their legal terminology lists.
 Very Good 90%: Attorneys developed and delivered 3-4 arguments in addition to opening and
closing statements; all other criteria were met. Attorneys incorporated some words from their
legal terminology lists.
 Satisfactory 75%: Attorneys developed and delivered 2-3 arguments in addition to opening and
closing statements. Attorneys incorporated one to two words from their legal terminology lists.
 Poor 65%: Attorneys developed and delivered 1-2 arguments in addition to opening and closing
statements, but the attorneys may have failed to meet other criteria. Attorneys incorporated
no words from their legal terminology lists.
 Unsatisfactory 60%: The opening and closing statements were unclear; attorneys did not
deliver any true arguments; attorneys failed to meet other criteria. Attorneys incorporated no
words from their legal terminology lists.
Grading Scale for Prosecution Team:
 Excellent 90%: Attorneys were prepared; they delivered all five arguments plus opening and
closing statements clearly and convincingly; attorneys were professional (no profanity/abusive
language, etc.); all arguments were well developed; appropriate evidence from the play was
used. Attorneys incorporated at least five words from their legal terminology lists.
Fernandez/English 11
A View from the Bridge Unit
 Very Good 80%: Attorneys developed and delivered 3-4 arguments in addition to opening and
closing statements; all other criteria were met. Attorneys incorporated some words from their
legal terminology lists.
 Good 70%: Three arguments were developed and delivered; all other criteria were met.
 Satisfactory 65%: Attorneys developed and delivered 2-3 arguments in addition to opening and
closing statements. Attorneys incorporated one to two words from their legal terminology lists.
 Unsatisfactory 55%: The opening and closing statements were unclear; attorneys did not deliver
any true arguments; attorneys failed to meet other criteria. Attorneys incorporated no words
from their legal terminology lists.
Grading Scale for Jurors
 Excellent 90%: Every juror completed the Elements of Drama worksheet completely and
correctly. Jurors were prepared; they delivered the verdict clearly and convincingly; speakers
were professional (no profanity/abusive language, etc.); the explanation(s) were well developed
and delivered effectively; appropriate evidence from both teams’ claims was used to reach the
verdict.
 Good 80%: Some jurors completed the Elements of Drama worksheet completely and correctly.
Jurors delivered the verdict clearly and convincingly; the explanation(s) were not well developed
and/or delivered effectively; appropriate evidence from both teams’ claims was used to reach
the verdict.
 Satisfactory 70%: Few jurors completed the Elements of Drama worksheet completely and
correctly. Jurors delivered the verdict; explanations were not well developed, but they were
delivered effectively. Some evidence from both teams’ claims was used to reach the verdict.
Fernandez/English 11
A View from the Bridge Unit
Pd. 3: Mock Trial
Defense Team can earn up to 100 points. Prosecution Team can earn up to 90 points. Jurors can earn up
to 90 points.
There are 25 students in this class. There may be no more than eight (8) students per team.
Remember, the defense team is defending Eddie; your job is to convince the jury that he is a victim.
The prosecution team is indicting Eddie; that means your job is to convince the jury that he is a villain.
The jury will take the claims and arguments of both the defense and prosecution teams into
consideration, deliberate, and come up with a verdict. The way that the jury will do this is to decide
where the preponderance of evidence lies—with Eddie being a victim or a villain. The verdict must be
written and delivered clearly and concisely. All jury members must also complete an Elements of Drama
Worksheet to make sure that they understand exactly what took place in the play.
If you are thinking about joining the defense team, ask yourself, .
E.C. Defense
E.C. Prosecution
Jurors
Sergio, Shadejha
Brianna, Marisol,
Ricky, Chris, Nicole
Brian, Edith,
Brenda, Jake, Prince
Carlos J., Tijani,
Jessy, Josh,
Marlon, Darwin,
Ivan, Tommy,
David, Andy
Carlos G.
Rhondre, Nassaa (Judge)
Pd.7 Mock Trial
Defense Team can earn up to 100 points. Prosecution Team can earn up to 90 points. Jurors can earn up
to 90 points.
There are 29 students in this class. There may be no more than 10 students per team.
Remember, the defense team is defending Eddie; your job is to convince the jury that he is a victim.
The prosecution team is indicting Eddie; that means your job is to convince the jury that he is a villain.
The jury will take the claims and arguments of both the defense and prosecution teams into
consideration, deliberate, and come up with a verdict. The way that the jury will do this is to decide
where the preponderance of evidence lies—with Eddie being a victim or a villain. The verdict must be
written and delivered clearly and concisely. All jury members must also complete an Elements of Drama
Worksheet to make sure that they understand exactly what took place in the play.
Fernandez/English 11
A View from the Bridge Unit
Defense Team can earn up to 100 points. Prosecution Team can earn up to 90 points. Jurors can earn up
to 90 points.
E.C. Defense
E.C. Prosecution
Jurors
Savion, Liam,
Dainia, Georgina, Ta’Zhaei
Tyreese, Kayla, Luis, Dante,
Jennifer, Milton
Iman, Jada, Brandon,
Nick, Madeline (Judge), Phillip
Henser, Lorenzo
Jordan, Paulina, Sandy
Jah’Niece, Malik
Matthew, Edwin
Raheemah
Christopher, Jahzmine
Pd. 9: Mock Trial
Defense Team can earn up to 100 points. Prosecution Team can earn up to 90 points. Jurors can earn up
to 90 points.
There are 26 students in this class. There may be no more than 9 students per team.
Remember, the defense team is defending Eddie; your job is to convince the jury that he is a victim.
The prosecution team is indicting Eddie; that means your job is to convince the jury that he is a villain.
The jury will take the claims and arguments of both the defense and prosecution teams into
consideration, deliberate, and come up with a verdict. The way that the jury will do this is to decide
where the preponderance of evidence lies—with Eddie being a victim or a villain. The verdict must be
written and delivered clearly and concisely. All jury members must also complete an Elements of Drama
Worksheet to make sure that they understand exactly what took place in the play.
E.C. Defense
E.C. Prosecution
Jurors
Anari, Malachi
Sade, Brandon, Michelle,
Autumn, Mariah, Shenece,
Prince, Briana F, Nyrie,
Jessica, Jason, Byron,
Briana M., Dayanna, Melissa
Jonathan, Brian, Karlos
Nestor, Kerin
Luke (Judge), Mark
John
Amin