Capital Punishment Seminar

Catalog description

Examine legal doctrine and policy regarding capital punishment in the United States, drawing heavily but not exclusively on decisions by the United States Supreme Court. Topics addressed include: various Constitutional challenges and limitations according to Supreme Court decisions; aggravating and mitigating circumstances; jury selection and qualification; discriminatory application; the use of clinical testimony; and the role of counsel. Direct primary attention to the court cases and to the legal doctrine and policy issues arising out of those court cases.