Courses

College of Law

Trial Practice

Course Number: 6850
Professor: David Singleton
Credit Hours & Type of Credit: 3
Semester Offered: Spring (Lottery)
Required: No
Prerequisites: Students must have completed their first and second years of law school.
Recommended Courses: None

Course Overview: Trial Practice is a rigorous learn-by-doing course designed to build courtroom skills. Through a combination of exercises, lectures, demonstrations, drills and complete trials, students are prepared to advocate before judges and juries.
The first half of the course focuses on basic examination and exhibit skills, including direct, cross, redirect, making and responding to objections, and the introduction and use of real and demonstrative evidence. In the sixth week, students conduct bench trials. The second half of the course builds on the basic skills and covers advanced ones, including examination of expert witnesses, opening statement, closing argument and voir dire. Jury trials are conducted in the final two weeks.

Class meets regularly for 4 hours per week except during trial weeks. In-class critiques of student performances focus on issues arising in an individuals presentation from which the entire class can learn. Additionally, many of the exercise s are videotaped and students receive individual instruction in private video-review appointments.

Course Materials: See the current Book List located under Scheduling.
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