Students examine these and other criminal justice issues while learning the habits of mind and behavior necessary to function effectively in that system. The B.C. Defenders pick up cases at arraignment, where they interview their clients for the first time, and present bail arguments before a judge. Students then begin to prepare their cases, researching the legal issues, investigating the facts, and helping the client with services whenever possible. A pre-trial hearing is held usually within the first semester to finalize discovery and determine if the case can be resolved. If the case is not resolved then, the case is scheduled for jury trial during the second semester.
Jury trials are before a jury of six persons.
To prepare for jury trials, students role play their cases in the form of mock trials with group participation. Students handle misdemeanors and those felonies for which district court jurisdiction exists, from charges of assault to school zone drug sales. Students are responsible for their own cases and are closely supervised, both in court and out of court, by a defense professor. Preference will be given in the defense clinic to students who wish to continue into the spring. A certain number of slots will be reserved for those who wish to continue for a year.