October 24, 2013

1. October 24, 2013 Journal Write a thesis to answer the following question: Where would be the best place in the world to live? Remember: A thesis has a claim and three points! Quote “We must believe in luck. For how else can we explain the success of those we don’t like?” - Jean Cocturan Word of the Day Grumpy, the dwarf, is very lugubrious.

2. Lugubrious (adjective) • Mournful, dismal, or gloomy, especially in an affected, exaggerated, or unrelieved manner.

3. Reminders/Announcements • More about the trial…. • Thesis Worksheet due today!

4. People in Court • The Judge • This person makes the call about what is going on. They keep order and decide if the evidence and actions of the lawyers are within the legal bounds of the Constitution. • The Bailiff • This is the policeman who is present in court. They are meant to provide security for the judge and prevent violence in the courtroom.

5. People in Court • Representation (sometimes called Council) • The lawyers that are legally required to be part of the trial proceedings. • Prosecution • The lawyer(s) trying to prove the guilt of the defendant. • Defense • The lawyer(s) trying to prove the innocence of the defendant.

6. People in Court • The Defendant • The person being defended against criminal charges. • Witness • Any person who testifies about the events that occurred in order to prove the innocence/guilt of the defendant.

7. The Jury Composed of 12 people called jurors. They decide whether the defendant is guilty or not. The Foreman (Forewoman) Counts the votes of the jury and presents the jury’s findings in court. Reads the verdict. People in Court

8. More About Court • Deposition • Statement made by a witness and recorded before court • Allegation • Something that someone says happened • Charge • The law that the police believe the defendant has broken

9. More About Court • Conviction • A judgment of guilt against a criminal defendant • Plea • In a criminal case, the defendant's statement pleading "guilty" or "not guilty" in answer to the charges, a declaration made in open court. • Sentence • The punishment ordered by a court for a defendant convicted of a crime.

10. More About Court • Subpoena • A command to a witness to appear and give testimony. • Perjury • Lying while under oath in court. This can lead to jail time! • Contempt • To violate court rules and decorum in a way that offends the judge. This can get you a fine, get you kicked out of court, or cause you to spend time in jail.

11. More About Court Acquit • To find that the defendant is innocent of the crime that they have been accused of. • Unanimous • When the jury is in complete agreement. In order for a verdict to be accepted, the jury has to be unanimous. If the jury cannot come to a unanimous decision, they are considered a “hung jury.”

12. More About Court • Point of Order • I have a question. • Relevance • What does this have to do with anything? • Speculation • Taking a guess without evidence to back up what you are saying.

13. More About Court • Approach • What the judge says when he/she wants the lawyers to come up to their bench to talk to them • Capital Offense • A crime punishable by death • Hearsay • Statements by a witness who did not see or hear the incident in question but heard about it from someone else. Hearsay is usually not admissible as evidence in court

14. More About Court • Comply: To do what is asked of you (generally by a judge). • Evidence: What you present to prove your point. • Exhibit: When you show your evidence to the judge and jury in court.

15. More About Court • Objection: To disagree with the methods being used by another lawyer. • Examination: Questioning a witness that can help your case. • Cross-Examination: Questioning a witness who is hostile or who can prove the opposite of what you’re trying to prove.

16. More About Court • Badgering: To irritate the witness until they become extremely angry or emotional.

17. And Now… • Fishbowl Debates • If you are out of order, then you will lose points on this assignment! If I find you in contempt, you will get a “0.” • Everyone must participate. • Be polite.

18. Topic: Homework Should it be banned? Should there be a limitation put on how much each teacher can assign?

19. Topic: phones in school Should students be allowed to have their phones in school? Should teachers allow students to text during class?

20. Topic: Single-Sex Schools Some schools are segregated into boy and girl classrooms. Should this be encouraged?

21. Topic: leaving campus for lunch Should students be able to leave campus to go to lunch? Why or why not?

22. Topic: Parenting Classes Should people be required to take and pass a parenting class in order to have a child?

23. Topic: The death penalty Should the death penalty be an option for crimes? What crimes? Where do we draw the line?

24. Topic: smoking Should smoking be made illegal?

25. Topic: animal testing Should we test medicines and other products on animals?

26. Topic: kids getting paid to go to school Should kids get paid to go to school?

27. Topic: corporal punishment Should teachers be allowed to paddle or otherwise physically punish a student for misbehaving?

28. Topic: Longer days, shorter weeks Should schools have only four days a week but longer hours?