Texting While Driving
Sometimes There are No Do-Overs:
Today's Decisions Can Have Legal and Long-Term Consequences

This is a civil suit arising from a car crash that may have been caused by texting while driving. In a classroom, students play all the parts in this scripted simulation. In a courtroom, a real federal judge presides and attorneys coach the student lawyers at the counsel tables. Pre-assigned students play the parts of witnesses. All other students are jurors who deliberate in groups of 12. The trial simulation is followed by a conversation with probation officers about a series of situations — like texting while driving — that young people do not realize can have legal and long-term consequences.

In Advance of the Program
Preparatory Handouts for Teachers and the Teacher-Selected Students with Speaking Parts

1. Program Agenda
2. Scenario Describing the Accident
3. Witness Stand Script
4. Differences between Opening Statements and Closing Arguments
5. Guide to Writing Closing Arguments
6. Jury Instructions

Preparatory Handouts for the Host Judge

1. Program Agenda
2. Scenario Describing the Accident
3. Witness Stand Script
4. Differences between Opening Statements and Closing Arguments
5. Guide to Writing Closing Arguments
6. Jury Instructions
7. Discussion Tool: Reality Check Quiz — Sometimes There are No Do-Overs

At the Courtroom Event
Handouts for All Participants

1. Program Agenda
2. Scenario Describing the Accident
3. Important: Student Participants Do Not Receive the Witness Stand Script
4. Differences between Opening Statements and Closing Arguments
5. Guide to Writing Closing Arguments
6. Jury Instructions
7. Discussion Tool: Reality Check Quiz — Sometimes There are No Do-Overs