Thursday, June 4, 2009
5:30pm-7:00pm
Mock Courtroom, Downtown San Diego
Coordinator: Sallie Blackman

Transportation - Bus. Parents and Children from Ms. Roseberry's class and Miss Claudia's class can park at the school, board the bus no later than 5:00pm and travel together to the courtroom downtown.

Parking - If you need or prefer to drive, you can park in the building at 110 West C Street, San Diego, CA 92101. Parking will be validated.

This year's mock trial is called Jack and the Beanstalk v. the Giant. Our 2007 mock trial featured a civil trial The Three Pigs v. John T Wolf. Our 2008 trial featured a criminal trial People v. Goldilocks. In People v. Goldilocks, the prosecutors filed a criminal action against Goldilocks charging her with burglary, larceny, and vandalism inside the home of the three little bears. So far, we have learned about voir dire (jury selection), prospective jurors, burglary, larceny, vandalism, direct evidence, circumstantial evidence, opening statements, bias, and fairness. We had a seminar on opening statements conducted by a special speaker, a very experienced local attorney who teaches opening statement workshops.

In 2008, we traveled downtown by bus with Mrs. Kosanke, Ms. Roseberry, Miss Claudia and several parent volunteers to the courtroom of Superior Court Judge Frank Brown to observe a real courtroom, meet the judge, his bailiff, his courtroom clerk, and his court reporter, and to ask questions. The question and answer session with the judge and his staff was the highlight of the trip. Our kids asked excellent questions with great confidence. The kindergarteners and I have also engaged in colorful discussions about DNA evidence and are exploring new examples of DNA evidence each week.

Mock Trials

• 2008 People v. Goldilocks - GUILTY
• 2007 Three Pigs v. John T. Wolf - NOT GUILTY