Order in the Classroom
Team Leader Tonna Siela, Court Division Manager Civil Division
Order in the Classroom is designed to provide elementary school children with a basic exposure to our justice system. A group of courtroom personalities will visit elementary school classrooms to conduct a brief mock trial. The cast of characters will pe
rform a mock trial to help elementary school children understand the dynamics of a courtroom trial. Students from the classroom will be selected to participate on a jury panel and will be responsible for determining the outcome of the case.
The mock trial will be directed by the team leader who will also serve as the classroom moderator. A vocabulary list will be provided to students prior to the mock trial to help them understand the performance. At the end of the performance the moderato
r will ask students specific questions about the trial and encourage discussion about the jury's decision.
Teachers will be able to select one of two mock trials which can be performed in a classroom or on stage as part of a school assembly. The two mock trials are:
"101 Dalmatians vs. Cruella De Ville" - In this mock trial, the plaintiffs are one hundred and one Dalmatians who have filed a class action suit against Cruella De Ville. The plaintiffs' claim that Ms. De Ville is guilty of dog napping. Evidence
wil be presented by an attorney to prove her innocence while the plaintiff attorney will attempt to prove her guilt. The Dalmatians are suing her for emotional distress and one hundred and two million dollars. The jury wil be provided with instructiions
to help them determine Ms. De Ville's ultimate fate.
"The People vs. Darth 'E'-Vader" - In this mock trial the defendant is Darth E-Vader who has been charged with four traffic violations. They include a violation of the California Vehicle Code which prohibits stealing a starship. Darth E-Vader has
also violated section 16028 of the California Vehicle Code which prohibits driving without insurancce. The prosecuting attorney will provide evidence which proves Darth E-Vader's guild, while a defense attorney will argue for his innocence. The jury
will determine Darth E-Vader's guilt or innocence. In event of a guilty verdict, the jury will deliberate then impose a long sentence for Darth E-Vader.
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