Product Description Students will get the opportunity to be lawyers and prosecute or defend an accused person in a criminal trial (11 total). Each group will consist of 2 lawyers (prosecuting and defending), and an accused person. The teacher will act as the judge and guide the jury as they vote on the verdict. The majority vote determines the verdict. This unit includes court brief handouts, directions, and PowerPoint explaining how the cases will proceed. Visit my store for much more helpful and free stuff! Standards: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.1 Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.1.A Introduce claim(s), acknowledge and distinguish the claim(s) from alternate or opposing claims, and organize the reasons and evidence logically. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.1.B Support claim(s) with logical reasoning and relevant evidence, using accurate, credible sources and demonstrating an understanding of the topic or text. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.1.C Use words, phrases, and clauses to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among claim(s), counterclaims, reasons, and evidence. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.1.D Establish and maintain a formal style. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.1.E Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the argument presented. This lesson is student-centered meaning: –it allows you to become a facilitator –happier teachers –happier students –happier administrators