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TRIAL LAWYER - THE JURISPRUDENCE GAME

NCJ Number
47492
Author(s)
J N VAIL
Date Published
1977
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THIS BOARD GAME IS DESIGNED TO BE AN ENTERTAINING EDUCATIONAL TOOL WHICH PROVIDES COMPETITORS WITH A WORKING KNOWLEDGE OF THE UNITED STATES CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AT THE TRIAL LEVEL.
Abstract
EACH PARTICIPANT IS CHARGED WITH A CRIME, ARRESTED, AND FORCED TO STAND TRIAL. PLAYERS PARTICIPATE ON THEIR OWN BEHALF AS THEY MOVE AROUND THE BOARD AND PROCEED THROUGH INDICTMENT, PROCUREMENT OF AN ATTORNEY, SETTING OF BOND, HABEAS CORPUS, ESTABLISHING A DEFENSE, AND OBTAINING FAVORABLE JURORS. BOARD SPACES COVER SUCH TOPICS AS LIE DETECTORS, MISTRIALS, CHARACTER WITNESSES, QUESTIONING BY POLICE, PRESUMPTION OF INNOCENCE, ELECTRONIC SURVEILLANCE, SEARCH WARRANTS, AND DEFENSES TO CRIMES. THROUGH THE COURSE OF THE GAME THE PLAYERS MUST ANSWER QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE ADMISSIBILITY OF EVIDENCE PRESENTED AGAINST THEM. RULINGS ON THE ADMISSION OF EVIDENCE ARE PRESENTED WITH REFERENCES TO THE U.S. CONSTITUTION, UNITED STATES CODE, FEDERAL RULES OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE, AND IN SOME INSTANCES DECISIONS OF THE U.S. SUPREME COURT. THE SCHOOL EDITION OF THE GAME INCLUDES 96 DIFFERENT SUPREME COURT RULINGS WHICH COVER WIRETAPS, HEARSAY, ILLEGAL SEARCHES, ACTIONS AGAINST JUDGES, AND GRAND JURY INVESTIGATIONS. A 12-PAGE LAW PRIMER IS ALSO INCLUDED IN THAT EDITION AS A SURVEY OF THE NATURE OF AMERICAN LAW. IT EXPLAINS FEDERALISM, SEPARATION OF POWERS, JUDICIAL REVIEW, AND THE BILL OF RIGHTS. THE PRIMER ALSO PRESENTS A SUMMARY OF THE TRIAL OF FORMER ATTORNEY GENERAL JOHN MITCHELL, INCLUDING EXCERPTS FROM THE TRIAL TRANSCRIPT SECTIONS DEALING WITH INDICTMENT, JURY SELECTION, OPENING STATEMENTS, TESTIMONY, CLOSING ARGUMENTS, VERDICT, AND SENTENCING. THE GAME EQUIPMENT INCLUDES A BOARD, JURORS, MARKERS, DICE, EVIDENCE CARDS, STOP-AND-FRISK CARDS, INDICTMENT CARDS, DEFENSE CARDS, A SEARCH WARRANT CARD, A FIFTH AMENDMENT CARD, MONEY, AND GAME INSTRUCTIONS. SCHOOL USAGE IS RECOMMENDED FOR THE FIFTH GRADE THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL LEVELS. THE RECOMMENDATION FOR GENERAL USE INCLUDES THE AGE OF 8 TO ADULT. (KRA)