Minnesota v. Riff
Sarah Clutter, Michelle Capps, Adrien Watkins, Brandie Scott, Marcia Matthews
CJA/304
November 14, 2011
Timothy Sullivan

Minnesota v. Riff The Minnesota v. Riff court case is complex and has different types of communication involved. In the case, both written and oral communications are presented. During this paper we will discuss the communication used for the prosecution, defense, witnesses, and the judge. We will also discuss the guidelines for each communication in the court case. The duties of the prosecution, defense, witnesses, and the judge are important to every trial.
The prosecuting attorney communicates both orally and in writing. The main goal of this attorney is to prove that this defendant is undeniably guilty to the judge and jury. He does this by beginning orally with an opening statement, stating that Ronald Rift did knowingly commit the crime of Breaking and Entering (1) 2911.13 F5; and Burglary (1) 2911.12 F2; on 09/30/11 between 12:10 and 12:20 A.M. This was located at Marquette’s Market 1234 Main St. Midtown, Minnesota 44333. The owner is Speedy Marquette (owner of Marquette’s Market). It is up to the prosecution to share all written evidence with the defense attorney before the trial and to present all evidence against the defendant to the judge and jury. It is also up to this attorney to introduce the witnesses for the prosecution and to examine them orally before the cross examination of the defense attorney. The witnesses: Soapy Waters, Otis Ripple, Marty Martini, Betty Bitty, C. Sharp, Guido Concertino, Rusty Fender, and the arresting officer are orally examined by the prosecution and then the defense. (Curran, P. & Strauch, G.). After the prosecution presents the case, it is up to the defense to present theirs. The prosecuting attorney has the choice whether to cross examine the defense’s witnesses to debunk their statements, ensuring that the defense does not win. These witnesses; Sally Slick, Vibes Blare, Jacques Orbedder, Ace Harte, Red Chips, Matilda Slick and Gigi Gig have already been examined and questioned by the defense. When the defense has presented the case, all of the witnesses have been examined and cross examined, the evidence has been presented both orally and written form to the judge and jury, this is where it is time to make the closing statements to both the judge and jury.
The defense attorney’s job in the Minnesota v. Riff case is to represent Riff, who is the defendant. The job of the defense attorney is to challenge the prosecution’s charges and to challenge what the prosecution’s witnesses saw. The defense attorney is supposed to make the jury believe there is no chance his client, Ronald Riff, did the crime he is charged with. The defense attorney starts with an oral opening statement after the prosecution makes their oral opening statement. The defense attorney cross examines the prosecution’s witnesses to question what they said. A defense attorney wants to find a crack in one of the testimonies. The defense attorney questions the prosecution’s witnesses to see if they are possibly lying or just confused as to what they saw. The defense then presents his witnesses. In this case, the witnesses for the defense are to help make a case for Riff stating he is innocent. The defense attorney needs to make sure his seven witnesses sound credible and that their stories are correct to his knowledge. Last, the prosecution and defense have their closing arguments. The defense goes after the prosecution and this is where they try to persuade the jury to find their client innocent.
A witness is a person that has knowledge of the case they are involved in. Their testimony can either help or hurt a defendant. Both the prosecution and defense have witnesses. Written and oral communications are used within the courtroom in the Minnesota v. Riff case. In this case the prosecution has many witnesses that have information implementing Riff for the crime. Once the prosecution asks their questions the defense then has their turn. The defense attorney asks the witnesses questions in regards to what they said when the prosecution asked them questions and they also ask the witnesses their own questions. The defense attorney tries to pick apart the witnesses stories to help his client. The witnesses for the defense team usually tell a different story from the prosecution witnesses. The prosecution then has their time to cross examine. The written communications that are usually presented are the statements that are gathered at the time of the incident. When witnesses are first questioned at the scene they give information such as; the time of the incident, exact details of what happened, and where it happened.
The communication mostly used by judges is oral. The judge gives verbal instructions for the jury before opening arguments and before closing arguments. After rapping the gavel which is done to open the court proceedings on a daily basis, the judge announces the case that is being presented. On the opening day the judge advises the jury of it duty to be fair and impartial while listening to the testimony of both sides.
The judge presides over the trial as a referee between the prosecuting and defense attorneys. He directs each side when it is their turn to present their cases. He will discipline either side by charging them with contempt and having them moved out of the courtroom if there is a delay in the case because of unpreparedness by either counsel or disruption during the trial by anyone involved with the case and in the courtroom.
The judge will direct the “swearing in” of all witnesses who approach the stand. During the trial listening is the most important job of the judge so that he is able to concentrate on possible violations of the rules of evidence that can be the basis for an appeal. He may also have to rule on objections presented by either side based on knowledge of the rules.
After all evidence is presented and all of the witnesses have testified for both sides the judge gives his final instruction to the jury before they are released to deliberate. He also advises the jury to base their decision on facts and not personal feelings for or against anyone involved in the case. After the verdict is read by the jury, the judge orally dismisses the jury, directs all parties on the sentence or schedules a hearing at a later date for the sentence. He then raps the gavel to indicate that the case is completed.
In any court case communication both written and oral is the key to a successful trial. The prosecution and defense need to communicate effectively with one another so none of the key evidence will get thrown out. The judge must communicate effectively so that the jury and the lawyers know their jobs and responsibilities in the courtroom. This case was effective because of the good communication between everyone involved in the court case. Communication is not only the key in the courtroom but in life.

References
Curran, P. & Strauch, G. Minnesota V. Ronald Riff: A Criminal Mock Trial. Retrieved November 11, 2011 from http://www.civicallyspeaking.org/minnesota_riff.pdf.