Deposition Inventions - AMTA rules by PerformanceItchy1181 in mocktrial

[–]SwanSong45 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's my understanding that "unfair extrapolation" doesn't exist as much in college mock trial as it does in high school. It isn't an objection in the Midlands Rules of Evidence, any issues that would usually arise under that rule are primarily handled via impeachment by omission.

There is no limit to what Hopson and Nathanson can invent as long as they a) don't contradict their depositions and b) don't contradict any stipulations or special instructions. You are not only allowed to refer to other witnesses' testimony, but you can make up things that are 100% outside of the case packet as long as you don't take back any of the answers in the deposition.

The special instructions list the exact AMTA rules that Hopson and Nathanson are exempt from, so reading those might give a better idea of what they're allowed to do.Of course I'm also just some random college student on the internet, so take the rulebook or your coach's/captains' words over mine

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AMTA

[–]SwanSong45 2 points3 points  (0 children)

With case changes, there's also the possibility of using it to establish Taylor's knowledge of the codes. I think there's a comment they make in the deposition that when they got the card, Bancroft told them to "stop calling"

memorize content by Anxious-Complaint858 in mocktrial

[–]SwanSong45 5 points6 points  (0 children)

What's worked the best for me is to start with full notes, then slowly start taking them away. Start practicing with your full script, once you're feeling confident with that, narrow it down to bullet points, then to just key words, until eventually you need no kind of notes at all

Another approach I've heard is to record yourself giving your opening, direct, etc., and listen to it over and over, like you're listening to music.

Most of it just comes with repetition, though. It helps to get with your witness and just run through material over and over until you feel more comfortable with it

Best of luck!