Prosecutorial Ethics

Catalog description

Justice Robert Jackson observed: '[t]he prosecutor has more control over life, liberty, and reputation than any other person in America.' This course examines the prosecutor's broad discretion at each stage of the criminal process, from the initiation of an investigation through trial and sentencing and the decisions that can lead to misconduct and how such misconduct might be remedied or deterred. We will also consider to what extent a prosecutor's decisions are influenced by the interests of other parties (e.g., victims, investigating agents, the public) and what it means for a prosecutor to 'seek justice.' Real-world case studies and simulations will be employed.