Curriculum Guide · Courses

Professor Bright

J.D. Course 032 | 3 credit hours

This course addresses the law, strategy, and ethical considerations of criminal procedure and litigation beginning with the decision to commence an investigation and/or charge though sentencing. Topics to be explored will include the prosecutorial decision to charge, representation (e.g., conflicts) of and compensation (e.g., forfeiture) by client issues, grand jury practice, immunity and plea negotiating, discovery, motions practice, prosecutorial and defense misconduct, selected trial issues, and sentencing. Materials for this course will include court opinions, pleadings from actual cases, Department of Justice manuals and policies, and news and law articles. The course may be organized around an actual case from its investigation inception, through pre-trial motions and discovery, to trial and verdict.

Students may not receive credit for this course and Advanced Criminal Procedure or Advanced Criminal Procedure and Litigation.

There will be a mandatory pre-semester orientation for all enrolled students. Students must attend the orientation sessions on Friday, August 28, 2009, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and Saturday, August 29, 2009, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., in McDonough 492. The course will then meet for 5 weeks (10 sessions) during the term. The weeks when class will meet will be announced during the term. Students must be available from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. on any Mondays and Wednesdays when the class meets. Note: This course will be a prerequisite for students interested in seeking permission to enroll in the Death Penalty Litigation Seminar, offered by Prof. Bright in Spring 2010.