Korematsu v. U. S. Project Work and Reflection
The assignment for this project was to fulfill the role assigned to us of either a defense lawyer, prosecution lawyer, defense or prosecution witness, judge, or defendant. Leading up to this assignment, we learned about Japanese internment all along the West Coast of the United States and how thousands of Japanese-American citizens were imprisoned in internment camps because of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in the 1940’s. The defendant for our trial, Fred Korematsu was imprisoned for trying to run from the authorities when all other Japanese were being interned.
For this project, the teamwork we did consisted of our group of defense lawyers working together with our witnesses that we were examining (only meeting with our sides’ witnesses or “direct examination” witnesses). I think that being a lawyer in such a realistic trial was a very beneficial learning experience. Especially because we got the opportunity to conference with actual attorneys and they assisted us in actually building a case against the government. We got to actually have experienced individuals help us both create and refine our examination questions as well as proper procedures and courtroom etiquette. Two substantial revisions I ended up making for the trial, were working with the lawyers’ information that was provided, as well as thinking and acting quickly at the end of the trial when we re-examined a witness. I think my revisions to my questions specifically really benefitted me during the actual trial because I actually had a better grasp on it all and I think that I performed a lot better and smoother during the whole thing. Even though my final questions for the last examination were made up on the spot, I believe that they were solid questions that proved my point and ended up working in my favor. I enjoyed this project quite a bit actually-I usually end up arguing my point anyway. So to be able to do something like this where I could actually have the floor and take my own pace at asking the questions and examining the witnesses was really great. Some advice I’d give someone for next year is to really really REALLY know your witness’ background and to really have the right knowledge on what you’re doing. Also to really practice your questions and know/expect your answers so that you don’t give the other side any advantage. |
Keagan Felker Q & A for Witnesses
(DIRECT) Francis Biddle (Jake)
(CROSS) Mike Masaoka (Joe)
(CROSS) Henry Stimson (Reuben)
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