A New Case... An Unprecedented Challenge
As any practicing attorney knows, every case is different. This year, that could not be more true for college mock trial, as the American Mock Trial Association (AMTA) debuts its first ever sentencing phase mock trial case, in which the prosecution and defense will both have a burden, as they try to prove aggravating and mitigating factors respectively.
The following is a case summary from the AMTA website:
On November 30, 2006, Child Protective Services worker Don/Dawn Francis arrived at the home of Bobbi Campbell to remove a child from Bobbi’s care. Upon arrival, Francis entered the location and defendant Campbell stabbed Francis with a needle infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. On October 1, 2007, Campbell entered into an open guilty plea on the single charge of Assault in the Second Degree and retained the right to a jury sentence recommendation. A penalty phase will now be conducted. The State will present evidence of aggravation and the defense may present evidence of mitigation. The penalty range is five to thirty years.
The case is only available through a password protected page on the AMTA website. Cornell Mock Trial members can find the password on the Members page.