# Courtroom Experience Part of the Law Merit Badge Digital Resource Guide: [Introduction & Overview](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/law/guide/index.md) *Law in Action* > **6.** Do ONE of the following: > (a) Attend a session of a civil or criminal court. Write 250 words or more on what you saw. > (b) Plan and conduct a mock trial with your troop or school class or other group. After the trial is over, discuss it with the group. > **Tip** > > Choose **one** of the two options below. Both give you a hands-on look at how the courtroom works — Option A takes you to a real court, and Option B lets you build one yourself. --- ## Option A: Attend a Court Session Watching a real court proceeding is one of the most eye-opening parts of this merit badge. Courtrooms are open to the public, and you do not need a reservation or invitation — just walk in, sit quietly, and observe. ### How to Find a Court Session - **Check your local courthouse website** for a schedule of hearings and trials. Most county courts post daily calendars online. - **Call the clerk of court** and ask when public hearings are scheduled. Tell them you are a Scout working on the Law merit badge — they are usually very helpful. - **Ask your merit badge counselor** if they know of any upcoming cases that would be good to observe. ### What to Look For As you watch, pay attention to these elements: **Courtroom Observation Guide** — Things to notice during a court session - [ ] **The judge**: How do they manage the courtroom? What decisions do they make? - [ ] **The attorneys**: How do the lawyers for each side present their arguments? What is their style? - [ ] **The defendant**: Are they present? Do they speak? - [ ] **The jury** (if present): How many jurors are there? What do they seem to pay attention to? - [ ] **Courtroom procedures**: Does the judge explain any rules? Are objections raised? - [ ] **The courtroom layout**: Where does everyone sit? Who is present besides the main participants? - [ ] **The outcome**: Is a verdict reached, or is the case continued to another date? ### Writing Your 250 Words After your visit, write about what you observed. Focus on: - What type of case it was (civil or criminal) - What happened during the session - What surprised you or stood out - How the experience changed your understanding of the legal system > **Safety First!** > > When visiting a courthouse, follow all security procedures. You may need to pass through a metal detector. Leave pocket knives, multitools, and any prohibited items at home or in the car. Dress respectfully — you are visiting a place where serious decisions are made. Turn off your phone and do not take photos or recordings unless you have specific permission. --- ## Option B: Plan and Conduct a Mock Trial A mock trial is a simulated court case where you and your group play the roles of judge, lawyers, witnesses, jurors, and defendant. It is a fantastic way to learn how the legal system works by doing it yourself. ### Planning Your Mock Trial #### Step 1: Choose a Case You can make up a scenario or use a pre-written case. Good mock trial scenarios are simple enough to understand but have enough evidence on both sides to make the outcome uncertain. Examples: - A student is accused of plagiarizing a school paper - A neighbor is accused of letting their dog damage someone's garden - A store owner claims a customer shoplifted #### Step 2: Assign Roles **Mock Trial Roles** — Every mock trial needs these participants - [ ] **Judge**: Runs the trial, rules on objections, and instructs the jury. - [ ] **Prosecutor/Plaintiff's attorney**: Presents the case against the defendant. - [ ] **Defense attorney**: Represents the defendant and argues their innocence. - [ ] **Defendant**: The person accused of the wrongdoing. - [ ] **Witnesses** (2–4): Testify about what they saw, heard, or know. - [ ] **Jury** (6–12): Listens to all evidence and decides the verdict. - [ ] **Bailiff**: Calls the court to order and swears in witnesses. #### Step 3: Follow Courtroom Procedure A simplified trial follows this order: 1. **Bailiff** calls the court to order 2. **Opening statements** — prosecution/plaintiff goes first, then defense 3. **Prosecution/plaintiff presents witnesses** — direct examination, then cross-examination by defense 4. **Defense presents witnesses** — direct examination, then cross-examination by prosecution 5. **Closing arguments** — prosecution/plaintiff goes first, then defense 6. **Judge instructs the jury** on how to evaluate the evidence 7. **Jury deliberates** and reaches a verdict 8. **Verdict is announced** #### Step 4: Discuss the Experience After the verdict, discuss these questions with your group: - Was the verdict fair? Why or why not? - What was the strongest evidence on each side? - What was it like to play your role? - What did you learn about how the justice system works? > **Be Prepared! Making Your Mock Trial Great** > > The best mock trials feel real. Here are some tips: > - **Dress the part** — the judge can wear a dark robe (even a bathrobe works) > - **Use a gavel** or bang a book on the table to call order > - **Take it seriously** — stay in character and follow the procedures > - **Write it out** — have each attorney prepare a short opening statement and at least three questions for each witness [Mock Trial Resources — American Bar Association](https://www.americanbar.org/groups/public_education/resources/law_related_education_network/mock-trial/): The ABA provides mock trial guides, case scenarios, and teaching resources for students. ![Scouts in a meeting room set up as a mock courtroom, with roles assigned as judge, attorneys, witnesses, and jury members](https://ik.imagekit.io/doulacoop/tr:w-800/mbu-assets/merit-badges/law/guide/mock-trial-setup?v=83858e1c) --- --- - Previous: [Consumer & Seller Protections](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/law/guide/req5/index.md) - Next: [Visit with a Lawyer](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/law/guide/req7/index.md)