599 Advanced Criminal Trial Advocacy (Sparks & Tate)

LAW599

Advanced Criminal Trial Advocacy

(Sparks & Tate)

Prerequisite courses: 

Prerequisite for:

Instructor(s): Michael Sparks & Lindsay Tate

Course credit: 3

Method of presentation: Lecture 

METHOD OF EVALUATION

10% Participation/ in-class assignments 

40% Advocacy / Presentation / Written Moot 

50% Written Assignment 50%

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course delivers the various practical skills necessary to conduct a criminal trial (jury and non-jury). The mooting portion of the course will integrate basic trial advocacy skills (examination- in- chief and cross-examination), then build to developing more advanced skills (impeachment of witnesses, objections, use of exhibits), finally culminating with structuring and delivery of opening and closing arguments. Utilizing actual criminal case scenarios, students will be actively involved, both as Crown counsel and as counsel for the accused, in preparing and conducting different phases of a criminal trial. The course will integrate written components (case preparation, involving analysis of substantive issues, and identification of procedural requirements and development of trial strategy) with oral advocacy exercises. The final written assignment will require students to draw upon knowledge and skills developed during the course to prepare a comprehensive “trial book” in response to a “prosecution disclosure brief”.

SPECIAL COMMENTS

Description updated 2019-20. Please contact the instructor for any specific questions you may have related to this particular course section.

REQUIRED TEXTS (IF ANY):

None.  Stuesser’s An Advocacy Primer 3rd edition is recommended