Mitchell Hamline School of Law is currently recruiting volunteer jurors for a mock trial in-person on Friday, July 29.
We request that only jurors who have NOT heard the case listed below, volunteer.
The 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.
Volunteer jurors must follow the COVID PROTOCOLS below. There are no exceptions.
• Complete the Visitor COVID-19 Self-Screening Form at the Summit Avenue main entrance security desk.
• If this statement is checked, this Visitor is permitted in the building.
• Jurors must wear a mask at all times, except when eating or drinking.
• We recommend you wear a high filtration mask, not a cloth mask or loose-fitting mask.
Jurors arrive at 8:30 a.m.
The trial will occur between 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at Mitchell Hamline School of Law in St. Paul.
Jurors may park in our Mitchell Hamline parking lot WITHOUT a parking permit.
Jurors will enter the double doors nearest Summit Avenue where the flagpole is located.
After entering the building, jurors will stop by the front security desk and show their proof of vaccination.
Next, take the elevator, just past the front security desk, to the second floor.
Turn right and walk all the way down the hallway.
Signs will be posted directing jurors to Room 225.
At the end of the hallway turn left and you will see Room 225 on the right.
Each trial requires jurors to deliberate on a verdict, announce the verdict, and offer constructive criticism to the participants.
The trial will begin at 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.
The day will end at 5:00 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 call Jen Miller at 612-749-0506 or email Jen at (jennifer.miller@mitchellhamline.edu) if you would like to participate.