Students in several classes related to criminal justice are in the courtroom – a staged courtroom – this fall. They’re taking part in a mock trial to give them hands-on experience in a variety of areas.
The live trial concept has been part of classes for the past five years at Indiana University South Bend. The scenario is developed each year by Dr. Stacie Merken, Department Chair and Associate Professor of Criminal Justice.
“We use faculty and staff for the roles as witnesses, defendants, and victims. Students are the attorneys, bailiffs, media, jury, and court staff,” Merken said.
The trial incorporates students from the Criminal Justice Department’s criminal law (CJUS-P 370) and criminalistics and forensics (CJUS-P 300) courses. Depending on class size, two to three students are selected as prosecution and defense attorneys. Students concurrently enrolled in the 300 and 370 courses have the opportunity to play forensic expert witnesses.
“The best way for students to learn is through active learning. When they are immersed, it becomes more real for them,” Merken said.
Senior Arram Almanasser is one of the defense attorneys representing a client accused of murder. She appreciates the immersive experience the trial is providing.
“I think this is a very, very eye-opening experience. I think it is helpful to know how exactly you’re supposed to present yourself in a courtroom and what exactly the etiquette for that is as well as trying to stay professional,” she said.
Dr. Stacie Merken serves as a judge in a mock trial presented by CJUS-P 370 Criminal Law courseMerken spends about a year prepping for the course. That includes developing a new storyline each year for the trial. She tries to make things as realistic as possible.
“I want students to understand the things they see on crime shows is not what really happens,” she said.
Former students take part as coaches and consultants to help the student teams make decisions and plan their strategies.
Junior Nick Sammons is prosecuting the murder case.
“It’s taken a lot of time and it’s really shown how much work goes into doing a trial - even a mock trial. You have to think three dimensionally, like you’re playing chess, and that’s really challenged the prosecuting team, but we’re really enjoying the challenge,” he said.
Merken involves professors and staff from other schools across the IU South Bend campus and says that interaction is also valuable to students.
“I think it’s helpful to get the other schools involved. When students take other courses, they know some of the people in those areas. I bring in as many leaders as I can, so it really brings the community on campus together. It also keeps students more invested in IU South Bend,” she said.
Guests participate in the mock trial presented by CJUS-P 370 Criminal Law courseStudents spent the first portion of the semester preparing for the trial. Those with a trial role have research assignments, diving into what their role entails. They are required to research their assigned role in Indiana a well as in two other states of their choosing to compare and contrast prerequisites and courtroom workgroup procedures.
Merken said the process is unique for a campus without a law school. With a love of theatre, Merken knew she wanted to make her criminal justice classes as active as possible.
“I think it’s a great hands-on experience and I would definitely recommend anybody that wants to know what a real trial looks like to take the class,” Almanasser said. “As a possible future attorney, I think this is a good experience because you have more hands-on experience.”
Sammons thinks other programs on campus would benefit from creating interactive experiences like this.
“It lets students be involved more and it can help bring learning to life. We’re being active learners rather than just reading a book every day or doing homework. I think it’s a really good idea and way to get students involved,” he said.