Six class sessions will be devoted to mock criminal trials at which student teams conduct direct and cross-examination of guest expert witnesses in the field. Other students may be assigned to internships with the U.S. Attorney's Office, Public Defender Service, or other institutions involved in drug law or policy. All participants will be graded on the basis of assigned memoranda pertaining to the legal issues involved in the mock hearings or internships, or special research papers assigned by the instructors. The history of sentencing, guideline interpretation, and future directions. Relationship of federal and state systems, Congress and the courts, and the role of quasi-judicial bodies in the criminal justice system.
Students work on either individual cases or research.
Case workers interview prisoners to evaluate and prepare cases for pardon, parole, or possible habeas appeals. Research projects will cover subjects ranging from overcrowding to health acre to risk assessment. Some legislative work is also possible. Students may enroll concurrently in this course and Law 633 only with permission of both instructors. Enrollment is limited.