We are seeking volunteer jurors to participate in a mock trial on Friday, July 28, from 8:30 – 4:00. However, we request that only jurors who have not heard the case listed below volunteer.
The mock case is City of Shields Falls, et al. v. State of Midstate, Midstate Department of Natural Resources—Water Conservation Modification Board and its individual members, Rain Makers, Inc. and Hugh Fitzpatrick.
It involves a flood and a class action lawsuit for liability.
Jurors choosing to volunteer will arrive at 8:30 a.m. You may park in our Mitchell Hamline School of Law parking lot located at 875 Summit Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55105, without a parking permit.
You will enter the double doors nearest Summit Avenue where the flagpole is located. Signs will be posted directing jurors to Room 225.
Each trial requires jurors to deliberate on a verdict, announce the verdict, and offer constructive feedback to the participants.
Each trial will begin at approximately 9:00 a.m. A light breakfast snack will be available. Jurors will have a morning and an afternoon break in addition to the lunch break. A light lunch will also be provided and will last approximately 30 minutes.
After the trial ends, you will be in mock jury deliberations between 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Dress is casual.
Case Synopsis: After five years of severe drought in the eastern half of the state of Midstate, the City of Shields Falls suffered a severe flood following torrential rains. Preceding the torrential rains, a cloud seeding operation was conducted with permits granted by and under the laws of Midstate. The catastrophic flooding caused the deaths of fourteen people, injured hundreds and nearly destroyed the city of 7,800 citizens. A class action lawsuit for liability has been filed on behalf of the City of Shields Falls, its citizens and business owners who were injured and livelihoods destroyed by the flood, against Midstate, the Midstate Department of Natural Resources—Water Conservation, Weather Modification Board, and its members (who granted the permits), Rain Makers, Inc. and Hugh Fitzpatrick (the company and individuals who conducted the cloud seeding operation).
Please contact Jennifer Miller, at jennifer.miller@mitchellhamline.edu if you would like to attend.
