Course Description
Trial methodology, including jury voir dire, opening statements in jury and bench trials, introduction of proof and pre-trial as well as trial objections to evidence, and delivery of final arguments. Problems in civil and criminal litigation are analyzed, with emphasis on demonstration of techniques by students in the course.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Graduate law students will not be doing any extra work beyond that required of the Juris Doctor students. J.D. students are
post-baccalaureate students and the workload expected of them is the same workload expected of post-baccalaureate graduate students. Law students are professional students, not undergraduate students. Graduate law students are primarily international lawyers seeking expertise in the American legal system. This expertise is gained through exposure to Juris Doctor courses.
Athena Title
Trial Practice Seminar
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in JURI 5040E or JURI 7040E
Semester Course Offered
Offered every year.
Grading System
S/U (Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory)
Course Objectives
Students will learn and understand the basics of a jury trial: 1. Trial preparation and strategies 2. How to get comfortable in the courtroom 3. Jury election 4. How to compose and deliver opening statements 5. Presentation of evidence 6. How to compose and deliver the closing arguments 7. The process of jury instructions and verdicts
Topical Outline
1. Trial preparation 2. "Picking" a jury 3. Presenting the case 4. The judge's perspective 5. Closing arguments
Syllabus
Public CV