Closing Argument
This event will consist of two parts. During Part One competitors will be provided with a criminal case file to review and prepare a closing argument. Competitors will have thirty (30) minutes to prepare their argument. Competitors may choose to present the case as the Prosecuting Attorney or the Defense Attorney. There will be no points assessed in Part One. During Part Two competitors will have five (5) minutes to present the Closing Argument to a panel of judges in a simulated courtroom. To encourage criminal justice students to improve their ability to properly present a closing argument for a criminal case in a court of law.
Dress Code
Competitors shall be dressed in Business Professional attire as defined in the TPSA Dress Code Policy.
Individuals
- Team Limit
- 3
- # Teams per Chapter
Materials
- Photo Identification qt. 1
Reference https://tpsa.info/policies for more information
- Light briefcase or portfolio case qt. 1
- Blank writing pad qt. 1
- Writing utensil qt. 1
Policies
- Competitors in this event must be active members of the Texas Public Safety Association and in good standing with the Texas Public Safety Association.
- Competitors must be familiar with and adhere to the Texas Public Safety Association Bylaws and Code of Conduct.
- Plagiarism, copyright violation and falsification of information are prohibited. Any attempt to gain an unfair advantage will not be tolerated. Violation of the code of conduct or bylaws will result in disqualification and revocation of Texas Public Safety Association membership.
- The scenario is a secret topic. Professional ethics demand that competitors DO NOT discuss or reveal the secret topic until after the event has concluded. Violation of the ethics rules will result in disqualification and revocation of Texas Public Safety Association membership.
- Competitors must turn in all case notes to the Judge upon completion of the Closing Argument.
Procedures
- Competitor will report to their respective event when called for or at a set reporting time.
- Competitor must check in with event management upon arrival and present photo identification for verification.
- Competitor will be directed (by room moderator) into the event room.
- Instructions will be given (by room moderator) to the Competitor(s)/Team(s).
- Competitor will be given thirty (30) minutes to prepare the closing argument from documents provided by judge.
- Competitor will be directed to the area where he/she will present the case.
- The competitor may use their notes during the presentation, however all notes shall be turned in to the judge before leaving the event area.
- Competitor will have no more than five (5) minutes to present the case to the Judge(s).
- Penalty points shall be assessed for time during Part Two in the following manner: Loss of five (5) points for a presentation under three (3) minutes or over five (5) minutes.
People
- Judgeqt. 3
- Managerqt. 1
- Moderatorqt. 1
- Assistantqt. 2
Supplies
- Tables and chairs for competitors qt. 1
- Table and chairs for judges qt. 1
- Presentation table qt. 1
- Timer qt. 1
- Multiple copies of the criminal case file qt. 1
- Rubric/Score sheet qt. 1
- Writing utensil qt. 1
Space/Location/Rooms
- Large Room Indoor
Room for competitors to prepare their case
- Simulated courtroom Indoor
Scorecard
This is the Official Scorecard for the event Closing Argument.
| Event Name |
| Closing Argument |
| Scoring | Placement |
| Point Based | Highest Score Wins |
| Required Criteria | ||
Disqualification Competitors/Teams must meet the following minimum criteria. Failure to meet criteria will result in disqualification. | ||
| Delivery must be between 3-5 minutes. If under 3 minutes or over 5 minutes, there will be a -5 point penalty. | ||
| Criteria | Lo | Hi |
Initial | ||
| Appearance | 0 | 5 |
| Self Introduction | 0 | 5 |
| Knowledge of Case | 0 | 5 |
Organization | ||
| Law | 0 | 5 |
| Evidence | 0 | 5 |
| Witness(es) | 0 | 5 |
Delivery | ||
| Voice | 0 | 5 |
| Grammar | 0 | 5 |
| Pronunciation | 0 | 5 |
| Speaking from memory, minimal reliance on notes | 0 | 5 |
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