Trial school helps defense attorneys prepare for court

This summer, public defenders practiced with real cases in the UNC School of Government’s defender trial school.

Held since 2003, the school works with North Carolina public defenders and private attorneys who take public defender cases.

The intensive, weeklong program allows participants to select a case they are working on in their job and workshop the case through a mock trial setting. Program cases are usually felonies, but some defenders bring in misdemeanor cases.

“What these attorneys are learning here at the school is going to directly help them immediately,” said Sofia Lawrence, program associate in the management, administration and leadership group. “The School of Government is doing something rare and courageous. It’s so well thought out and such a robust program.”

Program participants may have a significant case coming up and attend trial school to prepare by developing every aspect of their case during the week. Similar to a real trial, participants sign a confidentiality agreement and can’t talk about cases outside of the room.

“My hope is that the defenders have a chance to practice their jury selection skills — and even potentially make mistakes — in a setting where nobody’s rights are at stake,” said Danielle Ward, legal research associate.

The first day of the program is about brainstorming and storytelling. Each day starts with lectures and then small group breakouts on stages of the trial. Participants learn how to formulate a theory of defense, how to select jurors, and how to write and present opening statements, cross-examinations, a direct examination of the witness and a closing argument.

In the jury selection workshop, for example, defenders first calculate which mock jurors are a good fit for their case. They ask each potential juror a series of questions about his or her life experience, worldview and background to determine who may be biased against their client.

“I hope they are equipped with the confidence to zealously defend their clients,” said Phil Dixon, director of public defense education and associate teaching professor. “We want them to have their own story that makes sense and accounts for facts that they’re able to tell through different stages of trial, starting at jury selection through closing argument.”

Ward and Lawrence serve as mock jurors for the trials. They rotate through different defenders and give them feedback while serving on their juries. They participate because of the program’s emphasis on public service, supporting the judicial system and helping people develop their skills in trial.

Dixon says participants often come back to the trial school to have the exercise of working on a case to get feedback and strengthen their trial advocacy skills.

“There are a lot of people at the School of Government that will wrap their arms around you and make sure you enter that space feeling like you have what it takes to meet experiences head on,” said Lawrence.