Criminal Trial Practice (621-1)

Instructors

Matthew M Schneider

Joel R Levin

Daniel William Gillogly
630/729-4127
Office Hours: By arrangement with any of the Instructors

Morris O Pasqual

Meeting Info

Rubloff 155 - Parrillo Courtro: Wed 4:30PM - 6:20PM

Overview of class

Students will prepare and present opening statements, direct examinations, cross-examinations, and closing arguments. Students will act as both prosecutors and defense lawyers and will serve as witnesses for each other.. The class also covers preparation of witnesses, evidentiary problems, and arguments to the court. The final exam will be a half-day mock trial of a criminal case

Registration Requirements

Pre-requisite: CRIM 520 Criminal Law.

Pre-requisite/Co-requisite: Evidence (LITARB 635) is a pre-requisite in that students should have completed the Evidence course or are taking Evidence during the same semester as Criminal Trial Advocacy.

Learning Objectives

Students should gain a better understanding of the course of a criminal trial, the role of advocates, strategy of the prosecution and the defense, application of the rules of evidence, and the trial skills necessary to effectively represent the prosecution and the defense.

Evaluation Method

Grades will be based on class performance and the final exam (a mock-trial). Class work will account for 70 percent and the final exam for 30 percent of the final grade.

Class Materials (Required)

State v. Burns, Problems and Case File (NITA, Revised 6th Edition ISBN: 978-1-60156-397-2; and Lubet, Modern Trial Advocacy: Analysis and Practice, 6th Edition (either hard copy or on-line version) ISBN: 9781601568984 .

Class Materials (Suggested)

Federal Rules of Evidence

Class Attributes

Satisfies Experiential Learning degree req
Criminal Law and Procedure Practice Area
Civil Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Public Interest
Procedure Practice Area present in course

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Pre-requisite: CRIM 520 Criminal Law. Pre-requisite/Co-requisite: LITARB 635 Evidence is a pre- or co-requisite.