Tuesday, March 27, 2018

Grade 12: Participation in Government and Civics
This course aims to provide students with opportunities to become engaged in the political process by acquiring the knowledge and practicing the skills necessary for active citizenship. Content specifications are not included, so that the course can adapt to present local, national, and global circumstances, allowing teachers to select flexibly from current events to illuminate key ideas and conceptual understandings. Participation in government and in our communities is fundamental to the success of American democracy.


Plan of the Day
The Fifth Amendment of the Constitution:

"No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation."

1. How many rights are being articulated here?
List in plain language:

1..........

5th Amendment Wordcloud


Miranda v. Arizona - Rights notification

Video - Miranda v. Arizona


Smith v. Mass - Double Jeopardy


J. D. B. v. North Carolina - Rights of Minors


When Police Interrogation Goes Very Wrong - Abner Louima

SIXTH Amendment

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.

 Sixth Amendment Annotations
Jury Selection - Voir Dire

The Voir Dire Process 
By William H. Wilhoit
A well prepared voir dire allows the attorney to focus on having a conversation with the jurors and appreciating their nonverbal behavior. When entering the courtroom, the attorney or paralegal should be watching the jury panel interact with each other. Who is sitting by whom?  Who seems to be friends? Are more than one of these friends sitting on the panel? If they are together, they are likely to vote together. Make sure that they are “good” jurors. Block voting can help or hurt.
Are they reading any books? If so, what kind of book? Murder mystery readers are naturally going to be looking at some miniscule piece of evidence to hang their hat on in their decision. If they are reading a romantic novel, then they tend to be more emotional in their thinking.
Whether one is first or last in voir dire, be prepared to start talking with the jury immediately. Do not fumble around for papers or move the podium, but stand up and start a conversation. Get their attention first. This is their first impression of you speaking, and you should give them your full attention. Make them feel important. Some attorneys may talk really brief about the tradition of jury trials and how important their service is to our society. If the jurors’ first impression is that you are giving them your undivided attention and that they are important, then that would be considered a good first impression. After the first impression is laid, then you can move a podium or look through your papers to continue.

https://www.americanbar.org/newsletter/publications/law_trends_news_practice_area_e_newsletter_home/voirdireprocess.html




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