No Prep Mock Trial Law Lesson

This complete, ready-to-go lesson is a fun debating activity for ESL, English or Law students. It has a simple design with clear lesson plans, an easy-to-follow PPT and is quick and ready to go. It works on students' ability to research a topic and analyze a situation, helps improve speaking skills and confidence and also improves knowledge of judicial systems and courtroom norms.

The lesson begins with a vocabulary warm up. The students then get a chance to work together to do some research. They work together to formulate ideas, brainstorm and identify their opinions on the moral ins and outs of the case. They then get the opportunity to do a mock trial of a particular case that has been chosen for its ability to provoke debate and interest.

The PPT I provide is based on a class that is vaguely divisible by 8, but I have provided some editable slides if you need to change the numbers. You can add or subtract Jury members to make the numbers work for any number of students. .

Itis based around a fascinating case in the UK. In the 1950's, two teenagers, Derek Bently and Christopher Craig were in the process of robbing a house when the police arrived and an officer apprehended Bentley. Craig brought out a gun he was carrying. The police officer, Fred Fairfax, said "Don't do anything silly, lad. Just give me the gun", and Bentley shouted the ambiguous phrase "Let him have it". Craig shot Fairfax in the shoulder and killed another office with a bullet to the head.

The case went to trial, and due to Craig being under he received only 10 years in prison, while Bentley was sentenced to be hanged.

I've used this lesson a few times and it's always worked out really well. There are loads of areas of interest that can be brought up:

- what exactly did Bentley mean by "let him have it"?

- one being over 18 and therefore the legal minimum age to be sentenced to the death penalty, and the other being under 18

- It was claimed by the defense that Bentley suffered from serious mental illness

- Bentley didn't shoot or kill anybody, so is he complicit in the killing?

- and plenty of other issues that the students always bring up

It's an intriguing case and one that naturally brings out strong debate. Students are each assigned a role and take part in a mock trial. Students take the roles of:

Judge

Prosecution Lawyer

Defense Lawyer

Witness - police officer

Christopher Craig

David Bentley

Jury Members

While I would be the first to admit that this product is not as visually appealing as my other content, I have reflected that in the lower price and I believe it is still a great lesson plan.

i hope that it worked well for you! Let me know how it went!