Playing the Victim

Tonight I had the opportunity to be a witness in a mock trial presentation for Chris' Trial Advocacy class. For this assignment, Chris and his partner were assigned to be the "prosecution" and two of their classmates were assigned to be the "defense" in an obviously fictional purse-snatching/robbery case. Both sides had to plan out and present their opening statements to the court, directly examine and cross-examine witnesses, re-direct, and then end with their closing arguments. There were four witnesses (2 for each side) and one judge (played by a real attorney from the County Prosecutor's office.)

My role in this case was that of the 28 year-old victim. Luckily, all I had to do was familiarize myself with the details of the case that pertained to me--the actual crime itself and my statements and involvement with the police. (Chris had given this info to me a few days prior for review.) Following the opening statements, I was called as the State's first witness. I have to admit that it was pretty fun, even though I was a little worried at first that I might goof up and say something that Chris would not like me to say. We had a good laugh earlier about what some of those things might be, but I can no longer remember what they are. And to save him from potential embarrassment, I suggested that he tell noone that I was his wife should I accidentally commit such a blunder. :) Chris had assured me beforehand that I would do just fine. Of course, I wasn't so sure I believed him. Then again, this is a pass/fail class, so he didn't have much to worry about, either, selecting his stay-at-home wife to play the key witness while the rest were 3rd year law students who had all done this before. Hey, at least I used to like watching Court TV! :)

Anyway, I felt pretty confident on the stand while Chris was directing me, but it was a little harder to maintain that same level of confidence upon cross-examination. The other team, I have to say, was really on top of their game as well. I tried my best and just hoped that I was saying all the right things. I was glad when the defense "rested" and Chris stood up to finish me off before I was officially dismissed. One by one, the other witnesses took the stand and I got to enjoy the rest of the show from the sidelines. The State's other witness was the police officer who had handled my case, and the defense's witnesses included the defendant and his girlfriend (both of whom just happened to be played by men--it was pretty funny.)

In the end, both sides did really well, including all of the witnesses. The judge concluded by giving feedback to both teams, but a little to my dismay neither was declared the winner. (That's just the way they were doing it for this class.) It was pretty cool, though, for me to get to see Chris take the floor and demonstrate his courtroom skills-in-training. I thought he did a great job! And as he later said, this will probably be my first AND last time to witness him in this kind of action. Yeah, I guess they probably don't like for lawyers to bring their families to court with them in real life...none of this "Bring Your Kids To Work" in that sense anyway. :) Oh well, then...I guess it was fun while it lasted!

Way to go, Chris!