Criminal Case Review and Evidence Admissibility

Catalog description

Criminal cases that go to trial require a significant amount of preparation on the part of the prosecutors, lead investigators, forensic experts, and defense counsel. The presentations given by both sides of a proceeding, which may include both direct and circumstantial evidence, is strategically planned by each team and subject to admissibility control by the court. Even though a verdict may have been reached, the strength, value, and oftentimes, the integrity or credibility of evidence presented to the trial jury may continue to receive scrutiny during future case reviews. This course will introduce students to types of evidence presented during case presentations at specific trials. Although expert forensic evidence will be addressed, this course will explore types of evidence that don?t involve expert forensic opinions. Students will be required to review evidence presented to trial juries in two historic cases and will be challenged to make credibility determinations on the evidence presented by the prosecution and defense teams. Furthermore, students will also be introduced to useful strategies to employ when conducting an overall review of an historic case.