My Cousin Vinny: Trial Techniques and Procedures
ASSIGNMENT:
1) Bill slips a can of tuna in his pocket and forgets to pay. Is this shoplifting? Please explain how mens rea, actus reus, and corpus delecti are involved in this assessment.
2) Vinny is seen studying a book about Alabama Laws. His research will have to include both procedural and substantive law. Why does he have to study both types of law? What is the difference between procedural and substantive law?
3) Why is the case introduced as "The People of the State of Alabama" vs Bill and Stanley? Why is the victim not a party in the case?
4) Describe the part of the movie when Vinny claims he wants discovery (disclosure), but doesn't know the process for it. How does he find about the discovery process?
5) What are the key points offered in the prosecution's opening statement?
6) What are the key points offered in Vinny's opening statement?
7) Summarize the following testimonies. What happened on the stand?
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Direct Examination Testimony
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Cross-Examination Testimony
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Old Lady
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Fat Man
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"Redneck" Dude
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Deputy Sheriff
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8) Which of the prosecution's witnesses were impeached? Explain.
9) How does Lisa get introduced as an expert witness? What are Lisa's qualifications for testifying?
10) What was the ultimate verdict of the case in My Cousin Vinny?