Courts & The Criminal Process
Spring 2007 Semester Schedule
Below is the tentative schedule for this semester. This is, of course, subject to
change.
WEEK ONE
Tuesday, January 9
Introduction to the Course
Review Syllabus & Handouts
Thursday, January 11
Group Placement (Presentations & Mock Trials)
Begin: Overview of Courts
-Read Chapter One for Today (pp. 1-22)
WEEK TWO
Tuesday, January 16
Finish: Overview of Courts
Begin: Law & Crime
-Read Chapter Two for Today (pp. 23-50)
Thursday, January 18
Finish: Law & Crime
WEEK THREE
Tuesday, January 23
In-Class Presentation Group Meetings
Begin: Federal & State Courts
-Read Chapters Three & Four for Today (pp. 51-100)
Thursday, January 25
In-Class Mock Trial Group Meetings
Federal & State Courts
WEEK FOUR
Tuesday, January 30
Finish: Federal & State Courts
-MOCK TRIALS: Your case selection must be made by today
Thursday, February 1
Exam Review
Celebrated Case Day (Non-Supreme Court)
-Your celebrated case assignment #1 s due (30 points)
Individual Case Presentations
WEEK FIVE
Tuesday, February 6
In-Class Presentation Group Meetings
VIDEO: Why Michael Jackson Won
-Video questions will be due at the conclusion of class (10 points)
Thursday, February 8
EXAM ONE (Chapters 1-4)
WEEK SIX
Tuesday, February 13
Begin & Finish: The Dynamics of Courthouse Justice
-Read Chapter 5 for Today (pp. 101-124)
Thursday, February 15
Begin: Legal Actors: Prosecutors, Defense Attorneys, Judges, & More
-Read Chapters 6-9 for Today and the next five class periods (pp.
125-214)
WEEK SEVEN
Tuesday, February 20
Group Presentations
Thursday, February 22
Group Presentations
WEEK EIGHT
Tuesday, February 27
Continue: Legal Actors: Prosecutors, Defense Attorneys, Judges, & More
-MOCK TRIAL: Your case summary, opening, and closing
statements are
due today
Thursday, March 1
Finish: Legal Actors: Prosecutors, Defense Attorneys, Judges, & More
Celebrated Case Day (Supreme Court)
-Your celebrated case assignment #2 is due today (30 points)
Individual Case Presentations
WEEK NINE
Tuesday, March 6
Begin: Processing the Accused: Arrest, Arraignment, and Bail
-Read Chp. 10-11 for Today and the next two class periods (pp.
215-260)
Thursday, March 8
Finish: Processing the Accused: Arrest, Arraignment, and Bail
In-Class Mock Trial Group Meetings
-MOCK TRIALS: Your list of roles are due today
SPRING BREAK – WEEK OF MARCH 10-18
WEEK TEN
Tuesday, March 13
Disclosing and Suppressing Evidence (This begins material for Exam #3)
-Read Chapter 12 for Today (pp. 261-283)
Exam Review
Thursday, March 15
EXAM TWO (Chapters 5-11)
WEEK ELEVEN
Tuesday, March 20
Finish: Disclosing and Suppressing Evidence
Begin: Plea bargaining
-Read Chapter 13 for Today (pp. 284-305)
Thursday, March 22
Finish: Plea bargaining
Begin: Trials & Juries
-Read Chapter 14 for Today (pp. 306-334)
WEEK TWELVE
Tuesday, March 27
Continue: Trials & Juries
In-Class Mock Trial Group Meetings
-MOCK TRIALS: A list of evidence and witnesses must be
submitted today.
In addition, witness statements must be
submitted.
Thursday, March 29
Continue: Trials & Juries
VIDEO: Eyewitness Testimony
-Video questions will be due at the conclusion of class (15 points)
WEEK THIRTEEN
Tuesday, April 3
Finish: Trials & Juries
In-Class Mock Trial Group Meetings
Obscure Case Day
-Your obscure case assignment is due today (30 points)
Individual Case Presentations
Thursday, April 5
Catch-Up Day
In-Class Mock Trial Group Meetings & Final Preparations
WEEK FOURTEEN
Tuesday, April 10
Mock Trial Begins – Team A
Thursday, April 12
Mock Trail Concludes – Team A
Mock Trial Begins – Team B
WEEK FIFTEEN
Tuesday, April 17
Mock Trial Concludes – Team B
Thursday, April 19
Mock Trial Thoughts
Begin: Sentencing Options and Decisions
-Read Chapters 15-16 for Today (pp. 335-394)
WEEK SIXTEEN
Tuesday, April 24
Finish: Sentencing Options and Decisions
Thursday, April 26
Juvenile Courts
-Read Chapter 19 for Today
Final Exam Review
Final Remarks
FINAL EXAM INFORMATION:
Final Exam: Chapters 12-16 & Chapter 19
FINAL EXAM FOR 9:30 AM CLASS (Section 01)
Monday, April 30 – 2:00 pm
FINAL EXAM FOR 12:30 PM CLASS (Section 02)
Tuesday, May 1 – 11:00 am
FINAL EXAM FOR 6:30 PM CLASS (Section 03)
Tuesday, May 1 – 8:00 pm