Order in the Court! Cracking the Code of the Irish Court System

Unlocking the Mystery: Your Guide to Criminal Trials in Ireland!

Slide 1: Lights, Camera, COURTROOM! (What Do YOU Know?)

Let's see what you already know about the Irish Legal System!

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• Quick Poll!: Hands up who's seen a courtroom drama on TV? What characters did you spot?
• Word Association!: I say 'Court', you say...?! Let's build a word cloud on the board together.
• True or False!: A judge wears a funny wig? A witness can refuse to answer questions? Let's bust some myths!
• Brainstorm!: What do you think the point of a criminal trial even IS? Get your ideas flowing!

Slide 2: The Stage is Set: Inside an Irish Courtroom

From the Judge's bench to the jury box, let's map it out!

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• Seating Plan 101: Where does everyone sit? Judge, Jury, lawyers. Spot them on our plan!
• The Judge's Stand: High and Mighty. A judge overseas to ensure justice. What are their powers?
• Witness box: The witness will give an account of their experiences. Are they telling the truth?
• Jury Seats: The jury consists of twelve people, they must decide whether the defendent is guilty or not.

Slide 3: Meet the Crew: Key Players in a Criminal Trial

It's not a one-person show! Who's who in the legal zoo?

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• The Judge: Referee and Rule-Maker: The impartial boss! They make sure everyone plays fair and know the law.
• The Prosecution: Case Presenters: The people trying to prove the accused is guilty. Presenting all the evidence and cases.
• The Defence: Voice for the Accused: They defend the person accused. Making the best case to prove their innocence.
• The Jury: Peers: Decides the outcome by looking at all the evidence and cases being presented.

Slide 4: Judge Judy or Judge Dread? The Role of the Judge

More than just a gavel-banger! What does a judge actually DO?

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• Law Interpreter: They explain what all the laws mean. This is important to keep the process moving fairly.
• Evidence Evaluator: Making sure everything presented can be trusted. Is the evidence allowed in court.
• Sentence Decider: After hearing a case, they decide if a person is guilty or not.
• Order Enforcer: Running the court room and making sure it is in line with the law and rules.

Slide 5: Team Justice: Prosecution & Defence in Action

The ultimate showdown! Arguments, evidence, and cross-examination!

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• Evidence Assembly: The prosecution team will bring together evidence to help prove a case.
• Cross-Examination: Each team tries to trip up witnesses! Truth is often revealed with this.
• Argument Delivery: They give opening statements, they also give closing statements.
• Legal Battle: The process of creating arguments, evidence, and trying to prove the points.

Slide 6: Witness Wonders: Telling the Truth (the Whole Truth?)

Eyewitness accounts, expert opinions – and maybe a little bit of fibbing?

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• Giving Testimony: Speaking on the stand. Being recorded and reviewed after speaking to give truth.
• Oath Taking: Promising that they will tell the truth. Lying under oath is a crime.
• Expert Opinion: Expert witnesses can give their perspectives on topics related to the case.
• Witness Protection: Keeping witnesses safe is an important part of the legal system.

Slide 7: Jury Duty: The Power is in Your Hands!

Citizen superheroes! Deciding innocence or guilt – no pressure!

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• Evidence Review: They must review every piece of evidence presented and consider its impact.
• Guilty or Innocent: Based on all the evidence the jury determines the defendents fate.
• Deliberation Process: They decide this toghether in a room. Talking about all the case's elements.
• The Verdict: The outcome is announced to the court. The final decision and a moment for everyone.

Slide 8: Activity Time! Role Play Prep

Preperation is key! Who wants to be Judge, Defence, and Prosecution?

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• Team Selection: Working with all the class and dividing them to create balanced teams.
• Role Review: Deciding how the roles will be carried out and giving students free reign.
• Role prep: Students need to be ready to fulfil their role. They can do research.
• Case Study: Here is the case study we will be working from for the mock trial.

Slide 9: Decision Time: Why This Matters to YOU!

More than just a grade! How does the Irish court system affect your life?

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• Rights and Responsibilities: It will enable the students understand the roles of the various people involved in a court case.
• Civic Engagement: The students will be able to recognise the typical seating arrangements in a courtroom
• Critical Thinking: During the development of the presentation, students will need to make critical decisions about the importance and ...
• Knowledge Application: Use what you know and what you learned from the process to guide you into the future.

Slide 10: Thank You!

Thanks for participating!

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• Thanks again: Thank you again for participating!
• Any questions: Do you have any questions about the presentation or case study?
• Hope you enjoyed: I hope that you enjoyed the presentation and the activities.
• Final notes: Remember all the key things we covered to better prep for the role play.