Mock Trial Plaintif Closing Arguments 2014

Good evening Your Honor, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, and opposing counsel. Tonight you heard the testimony and evidence in Roughed Grouse High School's attempt to hide, justify, and deny their negligent actions. In order to prove Roughed Grouse High School's negligence resulting in the death of Jordan Simon, I, along with my co-counsel, had to prove our case, not beyond a reasonable doubt, but simply by a preponderance of evidence. In other words, if you were to put the evidence favoring the case of the plaintiff and evidence favorable to the defendant on a scale, we the plaintiff would have to make the scales tip ever so slightly in our favor. Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, we have done just that. We have proved to you tonight by a preponderance of evidence, not that the defendant was solely responsible for the unfortunate and untimely death of Jordan Simon, but that those representing Roughed Grouse High School were more negligent above all others involved.

Now let's review the evidence you have heard this evening. You heard from Lynn Roper, an Educational Administration expert. Mr. Roper testified that random drug testing of high school student athletes is the most viable and effective option for preventing performance-enhancing drug abuse. The defendant has tried to claim that drug testing is just too expensive, but RGHS's own assistant principal and athletic director has admitted that they are able to pay their teacher-coaches very well. Roughed Grouse also has parent incentive programs that voluntarily donate thousands of dollars to the school. With this kind of money, there is no excuse for not drug testing. Nonetheless, RGHS administration neglected to test. So what else can be done? Mr. Roper testified that even without testing, all that is required is vigilance by coaches and athletic directors in watching their student athletes for signs of steroid abuse. This, ladies and gentlemen, is where Roughed Grouse neglected its duty. The defendant