Advanced Research Skills: Criminal Law and Procedure

Catalog description

Building on the skills learned in the first-year Legal Skills program, this course focuses on state and federal resources in criminal law and procedure and uses criminal law problems and current issues in assignments and projects. Students will explore a variety of specialized, print research materials as well as electronic, low cost, and free online resources in criminal law and procedure. Lecture topics include discussion of federal and state-related resources (with an emphasis on New York State), legislative and administrative materials (including proposed rules and pending legislation), practice materials (including those related to police practices, pre-trial and trial procedures, evidence and disclosure, sentencing, grand jury practice, and more), investigative resources, and cross-disciplinary criminal materials (including immigration, diplomatic immunity, and comparative and international criminal law). Special attention will be given to the precedential value of primary sources (state v. federal) and the importance of secondary authority. While it is an advanced course, basic research and citation skills will be strengthened and New York State court citation will be introduced. Lecture topics will be reinforced by daily hands-on research assignments and students will benefit from immediate feedback on those assignments. Students will learn how to keep up- to-date on current issues in criminal law and have the opportunity to publish on the Pace Criminal Justice Blog. The final project is annotated researches guide approximately 8-10 pages long. Enrollment is limited to 12 students. This class will run for 6 days starting on Wednesday, May 20, 2015 through Friday, May 29, 2015. The following are meetings times: Wednesday May 20: 9:30am – 12:00pm and 1:00-4:00 pm; Thursday May 21 and Friday May 22: 9:30am – noon and 1:00pm – 3:30pm, Tuesday May 26: 5:30-8:00pm,…