| Non-Jury Trial Practicum [ARCHIVED CATALOG] | Courses of Study 2019-2020
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Print this PageLAW 7921 - Non-Jury Trial Practicum
(CU-CEL)
Fall. 4 credits. S/U grades only.
Prerequisite: LAW 6401 or permission of instructor. Satisfies the skills requirement. This course requires off premises travel. The student is responsible for travel to and from the sites.
R.A. Sarachan.
This course gives students the opportunity to prosecute non-felony non-jury trials in Ithaca City Court. The course has both a classroom component and a courtroom component.
The classroom component involves lecture, discussion and trial simulation exercises. Topics include criminal law and procedure, prosecution ethics, trial strategy and preparation, trial conduct including direct and cross-examination, plea-bargaining and professional judgment.
The courtroom component involves regular attendance at Ithaca City Court's non-jury terms. Students will observe and critique trials and will prosecute offenses including traffic tickets (such as speeding and running a red light), city code violations (such as open container and noise offenses), non-felony penal law violations (such as disorderly conduct, possession of marijuana) among others. Each student will be expected to conduct multiple trials during the semester, depending on docket volume.
During the semester students will also be expected to prepare witnesses (typically police officers), conduct plea-bargaining negotiations, case research and fact investigation, respond to discovery demands, and engage in motion practice and appellate practice as needed.