LAW 0724:
Federal Criminal Practice: United States Attorney
Spring 2020 • Section S21
• CRN 27462
Course Description
This simulated course develops prosecutorial trial advocacy skills in the context of the federal criminal justice system, with emphasis on the federal criminal trial. Students will be exposed to all elements of clinical education: instruction, observation, participation, simulation, and critique, and to every stage of criminal litigation from initial court appearance to jury trials. Students will also attend a technology demonstration and training seminar on Trial Director/Sanctions or other available computer assisted litigation programs for use at trial. On many class days simulations of pretrial hearings, plea bargaining, and non-jury trials are conducted in the United States Courthouse at 6th and Market Streets. We will be working very closely with the Federal Criminal Practice Clinical Program at the Office of the Federal Defender. Instructors from both classes act as judges and critique students from both clinical programs after each simulation. Students are also given opportunities to observe actual pretrial hearings and trials in progress. Special emphasis is placed on attending opening statements and closing arguments in jury trials in a variety of federal prosecutions. The final simulation is a complete jury trial held in a courtroom of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.Note: Students may not register for both #724 Federal Criminal Practice: United States Attorney and the clinical #717 Federal Criminal Practice: Federal Defender.
Schedule
| Day/Time | Location | Note |
|---|---|---|
| F 9:30 AM-1:30 PM | TBA | US Attorney's Office |
Additional Time Requirements
Generally Fridays 9:30 am to 1:30 pm, with modifications for court-related outings. During the second to last week of classes, students will be required to participate in a simulated jury trial in the United States Courthouse. The scheduling of this simulation depends on that of the presiding judge. Students must complete a minimum of 10 hours each week of the semester.
Registration Info
Pre-Requisites
You must have completed the following courses before enrolling in this course:
- LAW 0460 (Trial Advocacy I ) or LAW 0558 (Introduction to Trial Advocacy)
- LAW 0532 (Criminal Procedure I)
- LAW 0540 (Evidence) (C or better)
Equivalent Courses
You may not register for this course if you are enrolled in or have already taken the following:
- LAW 0717 (Federal Criminal Practice: Federal Defender)