TRIAL ADVOCACY CRIMINAL DEFENSE EXTERNSHIP
SEMINAR
Adjunct Prof. Renee Raymond
Spring 2014
Thursday, 3:00-4:30
OFFICE HOURS:
By Appointment
Professor Raymond: 202-824-2385
E-mail: rraymond@pdsdc.org
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is the classroom component of the D.C. Public
Defender Service Supervised Externship & Seminar. The focus of the seminar will be
identifying, defining, and developing fundamental trial advocacy skills, including
developing a case theory, interviewing and examining witnesses, and working through
evidentiary issues. As part of the seminar students will participate as defense attorneys in
a simulated case where they are responsible for preparation and trial presentations,
including the initial client interview, developing a defense theory, opening statement,
cross examination, direct examination, and presenting closing arguments to a jury.
COURSE MATERIALS:
Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia, 2010
Criminal Practice Institute Manual (excerpts)
Pozner and Dodd, Cross Examination: Science and
Techniques (excerpts)
Case File – United States v. Maria Smith
Selected law review and other articles
COURSE REQUIREMENTS: You must apply by submitting a resume and an essay to
rraymond@pdsdc.org on why you want to take the externship and seminar. We will meet
one day a week for no more than two hours. Class attendance and participation are
MANDATORY. Full participation in the mock trial is MANDATORY.
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SYLLABUS
WEEK ONE
Overview of the Criminal Justice System in the District of Columbia/Nuts and
Bolts of a Criminal Trial
WEEK TWO
Client-centered Representation/Initial Client Interview
Jonathan Rapping, Building a Better Relationship With Your Client
WEEK THREE
Mock Client Interview
Case File-United States v Maria Smith
Simulated Interviews
WEEK FOUR
Defense Theories/Developing a Theory of the Case
Jonathan Rapping, Brainstorming the Facts, Developing a Case Theory and
Creating a Story for an Effective Presentation at Trial
Larry Pozner & Roger Dodd, Cross Examination: Science and Techniques,
Chapter 2 (“Developing a Theory of the Case”)
CPI Manual, Chapter 32, Common Defenses
WEEK FIVE
Opening Statement Lecture
CPI Manual, Chapter 24, Opening Statements
Kim Taylor-Thompson, Opening Statements: Starting from the OneInch Line
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WEEK SIX
Opening Statement Exercises
Case File- United States v. Maria Smith
WEEK SEVEN
Cross Examination Lecture
CPI Manual, Chapter 26, Objections, Cross Examination, and Impeachment
Larry Pozner & Roger Dodd, Cross-Examination: Science and Techniques,
Chapters 8, 9, and 10
WEEK EIGHT
Cross Examination Exercises
Case File-United States v. Maria Smith
WEEK NINE
Direct Examination Lecture
Steven Lubet, Modern Trial Advocacy, (“Direct Examination”)
WEEK TEN
Direct Examination Exercises
Case File-United States v. Maria Smith
WEEK ELEVEN
Closing Argument Lecture
CPI Manual, Chapter 36, Closing Argument
Jonathan Rapping, Organizing Your Closing Argument
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WEEK TWELVE
Closing Argument Exercises
Case File-United States v. Maria Smith
WEEK THIRTEEN
Mock Trial
United States v. Maria Smith
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