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American Inns of Court Plans  Mock Trial,
USF Sarasota-Manatee Students Play Roles

(Sarasota, FL, October 25, 2004) –  The University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee is sponsoring a Judge John M. Scheb American Inns of Court mock trial on Monday, November 8, from 6-9 p.m. The “trial” will be held at Sudakoff Hall on the east side of the campus at 5700, N. Tamiami Trail in Sarasota.

The American Inns of Court is composed of judges, lawyers, legal educators and law students who “promote excellence in legal advocacy; foster greater understanding of the system of American law; provide significant educational experiences that improve and enhance the skills of lawyers and judges; help the development of law students; promote collegiality among members; and carry ethical values from one generation to another.”

Judge David L. Denkin will preside over the mock trial with attorneys from the community representing the plaintiff and defendant. Students from USF Sarasota-Manatee will play the roles of witnesses and jurors.

“Students playing jurors will experience voir dire – a preliminary examination of the attitudes and biases of a prospective juror,” said Dr. Brooke Butler, USF Sarasota-Manatee Assistant Professor of Psychology. Butler’s psychology classes will be participating in the November 8 trial.

Two juries will be selected from the audience and will deliver separate verdicts. “Sometimes the two juries come up with the same verdict, but other times they differ. Mock trials are an interesting way to demonstrate how the judicial system works,” added Butler.

For additional information on the mock trial, call Dr. Butler at (941) 359-4447. To learn more about American Inns of Court, visit www.innsofcourt.org.