"Lay participation in trials" is a common trend among advanced legal nations. It helps bring legal practice closer to the public's perception and feelings. Through active and extensive participation, citizens also become more familiar with the operation of the judicial system, which helps enhance public trust in the judiciary.

This project adapts common criminal cases into short courtroom plays, having students divide into groups where one group plays judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, defendants, and witnesses, while the other group serves as jurors. During court proceedings, judges, prosecutors, and defense counsel fulfill their respective statutory duties, and witnesses undergo cross-examination. The jury deliberation process tests whether jurors can uphold the presumption of innocence while learning the importance of practicing the principle of adjudication based on evidence.

In addition to the basic legal knowledge embedded in the plot—allowing students to experience firsthand and learn about the legal issues involved in specific cases—the instructor-led discussions will further explain the importance of adhering to the fundamental principles of criminal trials and promote the implementation of "procedural fairness and neutrality" during trials. Furthermore, the jury deliberation process is one of communication, dialogue, and mutual persuasion, putting the spirit of deliberative democracy into practice.

We hope more teachers can become familiar with the "Campus Mock Jury Trial" and bring this activity to their schools, which is why we are organizing this hands-on explanatory meeting and inviting teachers to participate together!

Target Audience

Junior and senior high school teachers

Sessions

Contact

• Phone: 04-23292372#12 Specialist Ting
• E-mail: smile@jrf.org.tw