All work will be done under the supervision of the assigned prosecutor pursuant to the applicable Third Year Practice Rules. Every effort is made to give students as many opportunities and as much individual responsibility as they are capable of handling. During the course of the semester, the student should be able to develop a general knowledge of all criminal statutes. The student will need to develop a particular knowledge of the statutes dealt with most frequently by the supervising attorney. Students prosecute a wide range of cases including traffic cases, misdemeanors, preliminary hearings and felonies.
Every effort is made to have students handle a jury trial.
Students learn about witness preparation, evidentiary matters, grand juries, trial strategy and advocacy, and plea negotiation. The placements also afford students the opportunity to develop research and writing skills. It is a must that the student have an interest in criminal trial work, have a background in evidence, criminal law, criminal procedure, and constitutional law. The student will also assist Ms. Cardwell with the preparation of murder trials. The student assigned to the Manchester Courthouse in southside Richmond will handle a variety of cases, including misdemeanor and traffic cases in General District Court and some Circuit Court cases.