Court Procedure
Script
Opening
Judge (Bailiff if applicable): Please rise. The fictional LACAH International Criminal
Court is now in session, the Honourable Judge ___________ presiding.
Judge: Everyone may be seated.
Judge (Bailiff if applicable): Today we are entertaining the case of the People
vs. Ngô Đình Diệm [ ]. Mr. Diệm is being charged with crimes against
humanity and ecocide. The prosecution must prove that the crimes were
committed and that the defendant is the person who committed the crime,
beyond a reasonable doubt, in order for the defendant to be found guilty.
Judge: Is the prosecution ready?
Prosecution Attorneys: (stand up) Yes, Your Honour. (be seated)
Judge: Is the defence ready?
Defence Attorneys: (stand up) Yes, Your Honour. (be seated)
Judge: Will the prosecution counsel please introduce themselves?
Lead Prosecution Attorney: (stand up) Good morning/afternoon, my name is
___________ and I am joined today by my co-counsel, ___________. Together, we
represent the prosecution.. (be seated)
Judge: Will the defence counsel please introduce themselves?
Lead Defence Attorney: (stand up) Good morning/afternoon, my name is
___________ and I am joined today by my co-counsel, ___________. Together, we
will be representing the defendant, Mr. Ngô Đình Diệm. (be seated)
Judge: Prosecution counsel, you may now proceed with your opening statement.
*Prosecution Opening Statement (max 7 min)*
Judge: Defence counsel, you may now proceed with your opening statement.
*Defence Opening Statement (max 7 min)*
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Prosecution Witness Examinations
Judge: Prosecution you may now call your witness.
Prosecution Attorney: Thank you, You Honour. I call to the stand ___________.
Judge: Will the witness please stand to be sworn in. (witness stands and proceeds
to the witness stand)
Judge (Bailiff if applicable): Please raise your right hand. Do you swear to tell the
truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?
Witness: I do. (be seated)
*Prosecution Witness Direct Examination (max 10 min)*
Prosecution Attorney: Thank you, Your Honour, no further questions.
Judge: The Defence may now cross-examine the witness.
*Defence Witness Cross Examination (max 10 min)*
Defence Attorney: Thank you, Your Honour, no further questions.
(Prosecution Attorney can ask for one optional 5 minute Redirect Examination
of witness; then Defence Attorney can ask for one optional 5 minute Recross
Examination. The Judge can allow if time permits or disallow if the trial has a risk of
going over the 2.5 hour time limit)
Judge: Thank you witness, you may step down from the stand.
(Repeat above for second prosecution witness)
Defence Witness Examinations
Judge: Defence, you may now call your witness.
Defence Attorney: Thank you, You Honour. I call to the stand ___________.
Judge: Will the witness please stand to be sworn in. (witness stands and proceeds
to the witness stand)
Judge (Bailiff if applicable): Please raise your right hand. Do you swear to tell the
truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?
Witness: I do. (be seated)
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*Defence Witness Direct Examination (max 10 min)*
Defence Attorney: Thank you, Your Honour, no further questions.
Judge: The Prosecution may now cross-examine the witness.
*Prosecution Witness Cross Examination (max 10 min)*
Defence Attorney: Thank you, Your Honour, no further questions.
(Defence Attorney can ask for one optional 5 minute Redirect Examination of
witness; then Prosecution Attorney can ask for one optional 5 minute Recross
Examination. The Judge can allow or disallow)
Judge: Thank you witness, you may step down from the stand.
(Repeat above for second defence witness)
Closing
Judge: Both the prosecution and the defence counsel have now rested their
cases. The attorneys will now present their final arguments. Prosecution, you may
now proceed with your closing argument.
*Prosecution Closing Argument (max 6 min)*
Judge: Defence, you may now proceed with your closing argument.
*Defence Closing Argument (max 6 min)*
Judge: Prosecution, you may now proceed with your closing rebuttal with the
remaining time you have left for your closing argument, if you want. You have ___
remaining minutes (defence team to provide Judge with time).
*Prosecution Closing Argument Rebuttal*
*After deliberation, the judge will deliver the final verdict. Judges are also invited to
comment on the performance during the trial at this time*
