Intro to Criminal Law/Mock Trial: To Kill a Mockingbird (Integrated Novel Study)

This class will focus on the basics of criminal law in the United States. Using the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, students will explore all aspects of the criminal justice system. The final class will be a mock trial where each student will role play as a character from To Kill a Mockingbird that is an important member of the criminal justice system (defendant, prosecutor, defense attorney, witnesses, victim, and jury).

Class #1 - What is the history of the criminal justice system?
  •	The purpose of the criminal justice system
  •	The history of the criminal justice system
  •	Setting - To Kill a Mockingbird
  •	HOMEWORK (before Class #2): Read Chapters 1-5
Class #2 - What is a crime?
  •	The key elements of a crime
  •	The purpose of prosecutorial discretion
  •	Point of View - To Kill a Mockingbird
  •	HOMEWORK (before Class #3): Read Chapters 6-10
Class #3 - Who is a defense attorney?
  •	The purpose of a defense attorney
  •	The rights of a defendant
  •	Characters - To Kill a Mockingbird
  •	HOMEWORK (before Class #4): Read Chapters 11-15
Class #4 - Who is a prosecutor?
  •	The purpose of a prosecutor
  •	The protection of victims
  •	Tone - To Kill a Mockingbird
  •	HOMEWORK (before Class #5): Read Chapters 16-20
Class #5 - What does a trial look like? 
  •	The key elements of a criminal trial 
  •	The purpose of a jury
  •	Conflict - To Kill a Mockingbird
  •	HOMEWORK (before Class #6): Read Chapters 21-25
Class #6 - What is the appellate process?
  •	The purpose of the appellate system
  •	The quest for justice
  •	Plot - To Kill a Mockingbird
  •	HOMEWORK (before Class #7): Read Chapters 26-31
Class #7 - How do I prepare for a Mock Trial?
  •	How to interview witnesses 
  •	The division of roles for the trial
  •	Theme - To Kill a Mockingbird
  •	HOMEWORK (before Class #8): Prepare for your role for the mock trial
Class #8 - Mock Trial

During the class, students will follow along with Google slide presentations to learn about the criminal justice system, followed by a series of discussions and evaluations from To Kill a Mockingbird. It is expected that students will be prepared for class by reading the assigned chapters. Each student will need a copy of the book. 

[Photo Credit: "Grimes County Courthouse, Anderson, Texas 1803091224" by Patrick Feller is licensed under CC BY 2.0]