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iRubric: Mock Trial Rubric --- Prosecutors and Defense Attorneys

iRubric: Mock Trial Rubric --- Prosecutors and Defense Attorneys

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Mock Trial Rubric --- Prosecutors and Defense Attorneys 
Mock Trial Rubric --- Prosecutors and Defense Attorneys
This rubric will be used to assign grades to student lawyers. Grades will be determined by opening statement, use of objections, cross-examination, closing statement, and presentation style.
Rubric Code: WXAW8WA
By mhoppert
Ready to use
Public Rubric
Subject: Law  
Type: Presentation  
Grade Levels: 9-12

Powered by iRubric Lawyer Rubric
  Excellent

10 pts

Good

8 pts

Average

7 pts

Poor

6 pts

Opening Argument

Excellent

Attorney is completely at ease with the jury. Does not appear nervous; does not use notes. Moves away from podium. Uses easily comprehensible language with voice inflection and eye contact. Tells the jury what s/he expects it to do. Thanks the jury. Very polished.
Good

Attorney may be a bit nervous in front of the jury or maybe uses notes from time to time. Stands at the podium. A bit of a Monotonous voice, some eye contact. Argument is comprehensible. Mostly polished, with a few guffaws.
Average

Very nervous in front of the jury; perhaps because s/he is unprepared. Heavy dependency on notes. Stands at podium. Voice is very monotonous; eye contact is rarely used. Argument is confusing, and the presentation in general is flawed.
Poor

The attorney is completely unprepared. Notes used almost constantly. Completely monotonous voice tone and no eye contact. The jury seems very confused through no fault of its own.
Direct Examination

Excellent

The attorney clearly leads (without leading in a legal sense) witnesses through the facts to which they testify. Uses physical and verbal evidence from both witnesses and experts effectively and prudently. Constructs a very strong case for the jury. Easily audible. Excellent eye contact.
Good

The attorney for the most part leads (without leading in the legal sense) witnesses through the facts to which they testify with only one or two procedural errors. May miss the introduction of some evidence into the court record, though these are minor elements that do not blow the case. Good eye contact, good voice.
Average

The attorney seems unprepared. Fumbles over words, seems unnecessarily nervous. Misses introducing key pieces of evidence, that may or may not have resulted in losing the case. Voice is weak / monotonous. Eye contact is poor.
Poor

Attorney is clearly and completely unprepared. Attorney seems unaware of evidence and in all likelihood loses the case for the state or his/her client. Monotonous voice and little= to-no eye contact.
Cross Examination

Excellent

Asks questions related only to evidence introduced by opposing counsel. By doing so, effectively disproves at least one key piece of evidence that opposing counsel argues. OR appropriately does not cross examine witnesses or experts. Excellent voice / excellent eye contact.
Good

Questions stray once or twice from testimony, facts, and evidence. Disproves at least one key piece of evidence but decision to not cross-examine may seem questionable. Good voice / good eye contact.
Average

Questions mostly do not refer to the testimony, facts, and/or evidence previously submitted. By not cross-examining, key facts are left unchallenged. Somewhat monotonous voice / limited eye contact.
Poor

Questions are all sustained via objection as they attempt to introduce new evidence that was missed during direct. Refusal to cross-examine results in the opposing counsel's almost assured victory. Poor voice / poor eye contact.
Use of Objections

Excellent

Objections are used with a high degree of efficacy and accuracy. They are used not only as defense to refute opposing counsel's case, but also to draw attention to unstated fact / opinion. Strong voice and eye-contact.
Good

Objections are made with a moderate degree of efficacy and accuracy. However, the attorney's may make a mistake in two in the assignment of causation for the objection. Strong voice / strong eye contact.
Average

Objections seem to be made with little legal consideration. Or objections are not made when they should be - more than three times. Good voice / good eye contact.
Poor

The concept of the "objection" seems completely lost on the attorney. Objections seems to be made for the sake of making them. Or objections are not being used and opposing counsel is getting facts into evidence that should not be. Poor voice / poor eye contact.
Closing Argument

Excellent

The attorney effectively summarizes his/her key points AND helps to dismantle opposing counsel's case. Attorney charges the jury with a responsibility. Speaks with confidence; strong voice / strong eye contact.
Good

Good summary of his/her case but does not adequately attack opposing counsel. Maybe forgets to charge the jury. Good voice / good eye contact.
Average

The attorney seems unprepared in general and does not use good presentation technique and style including voice and eye contact.
Poor

The attorney is most clearly unprepared, stumbling over words and/or ideas. Little thought and planning with regards to presentation technique. Overall, an ineffective closing.




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