A study of the constitutional and statutory limitations on the conduct of criminal investigations and related matters. Includes a discussion of the Fourth Amendment prohibition against unreasonable searches and seizures, the Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination and the Sixth Amendment right to counsrel. The rules and policies governing the trial court's fact finding process with emphasis on rules relating to admissibility and exclusion of evidence. Relevancy, judicial notice, examination and cross-examination, the hearsay rule and its exceptions, burdens of proof and presumptions and exclusionary rules involving privileges are among the topics considered. Students conduct simulated trials and handle such matters as pretrial motions, jury selection, opening statement, presentation of evidence, closing arguments, jury instructions and post-verdict motions.
Evidence is a prerequisite.