In addition, several active judges, including Judge Ray Grisham, Judge Rim Nall, Judge Jim Fry, Judge Don Jarvis, and Judge Carol Seibman, have briefed the class on proceedings. The class also had a personal conference with Federal Judge Paul Brown after they observed him sentence six convicted criminal felons. The course, offered in over 10 January Terms, is taught by AC professor of psychology Dr. Gerald Middents. The four-week course begins with observations in actual criminal, civil and family court trials. In class, students discuss what they see and learn how psychological factors enter into court decisions.
Students consult with lawyers, judges, and psychologists who shared information with the class.
Two major changes are being incorporated into the current January Term course on an experimental basis. Dr. Middents became familiar with this murder mystery when he was teaching in India in the fall of 1998 at colleges affiliated with Mahatma Gandhi University. The students will try the murder case January 24-25, beginning at 9 a.m. in the Grayson County Courthouse Old District Court. The public is invited to observe this mock trial. Students will undertake roles of defense attorneys, prosecutors, defendant, law enforcement personnel, jurors and expert witnesses in medicine, psychology, and criminology.