Civil Discourse and Difficult Decisions
This activity gives participants experience with civil discourse skills and complex decision making.
Civil Discourse and Difficult Decisions is a national initiative of the federal courts that brings high school and college students into federal courthouses for legal proceedings that stem from situations in which law-abiding young people can find themselves. These court hearings (not mock trials) are realistic simulations. In some cases, all students serve as jurors who listen to the student attorneys’ arguments, then actively deliberate in the courtroom. Students are jurors in Elonis v. U.S. and New Jersey v. TLO. In other cases, all students serve as judges who ask questions of the student attorneys, then have a case conference to come to a decision. Students are judges in Tinker v. Des Moines.
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READ HOW THIS INITIATIVE WAS FIRST IMPLEMENTED IN SOUTH FLORIDA >>>
SOUTH FLORIDA CHAPTER
Courtroom Simulations for High School and College Students
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What’s Different About This Activity?
The centerpiece is jury deliberations in which students practice the civil discourse skills they observe and learn from the judge and attorneys in a courtroom. The activity is different from a mock trial in the following ways:
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The Courtroom Experience is a Realistic Hearing on a Timely Issue
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The Focus is on Jury Deliberations Involving All Students and Learning Styles
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Students Observe, Learn, Practice Civil Discourse Skills with a Judge and Lawyers
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Participants Analyze Everyday Decisions That Could Have Long-Term Consequences
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Students Have a Candid Conversation with a Judge on Any Topic of Concern