Hunger Trials: They’re No Longer Games

hunger
The Judge as Effie in the Hunger Trials

Hunger Trials: They’re No Longer Games

It seems that attorneys can never turn the legal mind off even while watching a teenage move such as the Hunger Games.   Last week my American Inn of Court group used the Hunger Games as the basis for our continuing legal education presentation to the Inn.  We called it Hunger Trials: They’re No Longer Games.

Our case:  Judge Joyce Cram – Effie

Matthew Talbot – Peeta

Amy Foscalina – Katniss

Ken Strongman – Haymitch

Don Green – Caesar

Mike Markowitz – President Snow

Gamesmakers – Nancy Allard, Silky Sahnan, Daniel Cabral, Wally Hesseltine.

Judge Joyce Cram – Effie, Matthew Talbot – Peeta, Amy Foscalina – Katniss, Ken Strongman – Haymitch, Don Green – Caesar, Mike Markowitz – President Snow, Gamesmakers – Nancy Allard, Silky Sahnan, Daniel Cabral, Wally Hesseltine

After selecting tributes from all of the other groups, we let them battle to their death by asking the following questions.  Test your own knowledge.

During the movie, Katniss cuts a tree branch which drops Tracker Jackers onto a female from an opposing district.

Tracker Jackers are:

A) Ants

B) Beetles

C) Grasshoppers

D) Wasps

When Katniss dropped the Tracker Jackers onto the female from the opposing district, she committed what crime?

A) Assault

B) Assault with a deadly weapon

C) Murder

D) None

In the movie, Rue encouraged Katniss to drop the Tracker Jackers onto the female from the opposing district.  Rue is 13 years old.  Under common law she is:

A) Deemed to be an infant and therefore incapable of committing a crime.

B) Deemed to be an adult and capable of committing a crime.

C) Presumed incapable of committing a crime.

D) Presumed capable of committing a crime.

The minimum age of jurisdiction (youngest age at which a youth may be prosecuted) is:

A) 10

B) 9

C) 7

D) No minimum age.

If Rue (age 13) were called to testify in a trial against her, which of the following is true?

A) She is presumed competent to testify.

B) She is presumed incompetent to testify.

C) It depends on whether she is a civil or criminal defendant.

If Katniss is below the age of 18 when she wins the Hunger Games, what must be established to receive the money:

A) Conservatorship

B) Guardianship

C) Probate

D) Special Needs Trust

If the Hunger Games rules provide that the winner and their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren all receive money for their lifetimes, would that run afoul of the Rule Against Perpetuities?

A) Yes

B) No

C) Depends on how long each of these people live.

During the Hunger Games when Katniss was hiding in the trees, the Gamemakers created a fire and shot fire balls at her which burned her leg.  In California, what would the Gamemakers be charged with?

A) First degree arson

B) Second degree arson

C) Felony arson

D) Reckless burning

During Katniss’ private presentation with the Gamemakers, she shot an arrow at the apple in the pig’s mouth where all the Gamemakers were huddled.  What crime(s) could Katniss be charged with?

A) Attempted murder

B) Battery

C) Assault

D) None

Assume that the stunt with the arrow was planned in advance by Hamitch and Katniss.  What tort(s) can they be liable for?

A) Intentional infliction of emotional distress

B) Negligent infliction of emotional distress

C) Conspiracy

D) All of the above

Lionsgate (the producer of Hunger Games) could potentially be sued for copyright infringement by the producers of which movies?

A) Ben-Hur

B) Spartacus

C) Star Wars Episode One

D) Star Wars Episode Two

E) All the gladiator and ancient Rome movies ever made.

We followed up these questions by demonstrating closing argument as if the games went to both criminal and civil courts.

Ken_Strongman_003smAbout the Author: Ken Strongman (www.kpstrongman.com) has years of experience and a growing national reputation as a mediator and arbitrator.  He has successfully resolved more than a thousand disputes in the fields of construction defects, real estate, intellectual property, and employment.  He is also a Mediator and Arbitrator for FINRA.

© 2020 Ken Strongman. All Rights Reserved. Please do not copy or repost without permission.


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