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	Intro | Trial Roles | State the Case | Trial Preparation | Trial Sequence
	TRIAL SEQUENCE   Make sure you learn the roles on the Trial Roles page and visit the Trial Preparation page to get ready.         TRIAL SEQUENCE AND TIME LIMITS   Opening Statement 5 minutes per side—10 minutes in total   Direct Examination of Plantiffs Witnesses and Defense Cross Examination 30 minutes for Plantiffs and 20 minutes for Defense Cross Examination   Direct Examination of Defense Witnesses and Plantiffs Cross Examination 30 minutes for Defense and 20 minutes for Plantiffs Cross Examination   Closing Argument 5 minutes per side—10 minutes in total   Scoring judges may now ask a few questions of the witnesses.     NOTES An attorney from each legal team will be expected to give an opening statement on the first day. The Plantiffs give their opening statement first. Direct examination involves the lawyers presenting their own witnesses and asking questions that bring out both direct and circumstantial evidence. In general, witnesses must testify to matters of fact. However, expert witnesses from a particular field may give an opinion based on the facts in evidence and must give a reason for that opinion. Lawyers are not supposed to ask leading questions – or questions that suggest the desired answers – of their own witnesses. Here is an example of a leading question: “Isn’t it true that you saw John waiting across the street before his wife came home?” That question could be broken out into several shorter questions so that the lawyer was not leading the witness to a “yes” or “no” answer. For example, a lawyer could ask: “Did you see John the night of …?” “Where did you see him?” “At what time?” Cross-examination is usually limited to questions on matters that were raised during direct examination. Leading questions (see above) can be asked during this time because the lawyers are trying to question or reduce the credibility of either the witness or evidence or both. An attorney may try to show that a witness is prejudiced or biased or may bring up that a witness has a previous felony conviction. The lawyers each present a closing argument or summation that discusses the evidence and any inferences that can be drawn. The lawyer for the Plantiffs paints a favorable picture of the evidence as showing what he/she set out to prove. The lawyer for the defense usually addresses statements made in the plaintiffs' argument and point out defects in order to show that the facts are favorable to his side. For guidance in developing rules and regulations for your courtroom drama, consult the mock trials used in high schools. Check out: http://www.nationalmocktrial.org/ GOOD LUCK!