Dallas Association of Young Lawyers & Dallas Bar Assn., TX Contact: Rick L. Lambert Dallas Assoc. of Young Lawyers Passman & Jones, P.C. 1201 Elm Street, Suite 2500, Dallas, TX 75270 Activity Summary: The Dallas Association of Young Lawyers along with the Dallas Bar Association's Law Day Committee developed a Mock Voir Dire Program. The Mock Voir Dire Program is designed to educate high school students regarding the jury process. The presentations were made by sitting state court judges and young lawyers who played the roles of prosecutors and defense attorneys in a model criminal case. A student volunteer played the role of the defendant. Young Lawyers coordinated with government teachers to designate approximately 50 students to serve as potential jurors in each presentation. Activity Narrative: The most exciting thing about the Mock Voir Dire Program is that it can be conducted on a shoestring budget and with a limited number of volunteers. A committee of two or three members can implement this program. One committee member can coordinate with high school government teachers in the area to determine their interest and availability for the program. A second committee member can coordinate with state judges to determine their availability for the program. A third committee member should coordinate with the media to the publicize the event by sending public service announcements and following up with each media contact. The presentations can be made in the courtroom so there is no cost for rental of space. The school district can arrange for transportation to and from the courtroom by bus. The judges recruit their prosecutors to act as prosecutor and defense counsel in the presentation. The presentations do not require the development of a formal curriculum or program. The prosecutors can simply create a mock indictment and conduct a voir dire as in any other case. The judge makes an opening statement including their typical comments about the importance of jury service as well as the duties of a juror. The program is one of many ways that the Dallas Bar Association and the Dallas Association of Young Lawyers reach out to the Dallas community and in particular, the Dallas public schools, to educate students about attorneys and the law. Each year we invite the media and made it more convenient for judges and attorneys to participate. The program epitomizes the many years of effective partnership formed among the Dallas Association Young Lawyers and the Dallas Bar Association with the Dallas public schools. The Mock Voir Dire Program is probably the most effective way of educating students about jury trials. The program has the look and the feel of a real criminal trial. Students are presented with the same questions and conflicts or dilemmas they might face during jury service. The program has an impact beyond Law Week in that it prepares students for their public service as jurors. Also they are prepared in the event that they find themselves a party to any litigation. Sample Programs Home | By Audience | By Location | By Sponsoring Organization