Instructor:
Office:
Phone: email:
Richard Rosenthal, J.D.
201 W. Colfax Ave. Dept. 1201
(720) 913-3321
Class Time:
Richard.Rosenthal@denvergov.org
Thursday 5:30-8:15 p.m.
COURSE DESCRIPTION : Judicial Administration offers an indepth examination of procedural and substantive issues in modern jurisprudence. The course examines the history, concepts, and services related to judicial organization and management. The topics of exploration include the structure and functioning of the courts; roles and responsibilities within the courtroom workgroup; and the social, cultural, psychological, and political forces that influence the functioning of the courts.
Judicial decisions and trials highlight issues of discretion, disparity, and discrimination in the court system.
COURSE OBJECTIVES AND GOALS: Judicial Administration will provide you with an understanding of the (1) structure and functioning of the courts; (2) dynamics of the courtroom workgroup; and (3) current issues involving discretion, disparity, and discrimination. The course also will help you develop the analytical skills necessary to engage in a critical analysis of issues related to judicial administration.
TEXTS:

David Lynch (2004). Inside the Criminal Courts . Carolina Academic Press.

Gilbert Geis & Leigh Bienen (1998). Trials of the Century: From Leopold and Loeb to
O.J. Simpson . Northeastern University Press.

Steve Bogira (2005). Courtroom 302: A Year Behind the Scenes in an American Criminal
Courthouse . Alfred A. Knopf.

Lou Cannon (1999) Official Negligence: How Rodney King and the Riots Changed Los
Angeles and the LAPD.
Westview Press.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
ATTENDANCE: Class attendance and participation is mandatory and will count as part of your grade. A large percentage of the materials presented in class will not be available in the readings. Students who miss classes will find themselves at a disadvantage in discussions.
GRADING : 1/3 of the grade will be for class participation, 1/3 based on completion of a midterm assignment and 1/3 based on a class presentation. Specific details regarding the midterm and final projects will be provided on a separate handout.
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WEEK 1 INTRODUCTION
Aug. 14 American Legal System & the Role of Law
Rationality and Legitimacy
Readings Crimes of the Century: Introduction
Class Presentation: “Our State Courts”
WEEK 2 THE ADVERSARIAL SYSTEM
Aug. 21 The Nature of the Adversarial System
Strengths and Weaknesses of the Adversarial System
Readings Crimes of the Century: Leopold and Loeb & Scottsboro Case
Video:
“Scottsboro: an American Tragedy” (90 minutes)
*Midterm Course Assignments Handed Out – Due October 2, 2008
WEEK 3
Aug.28
NO CLASS – DNC
WEEK 4 RIGHTS OF THE ACCUSED & SOCIAL CONSTRUCTIONS OF CRIME
Sept. 4 Right to Counsel Media Influences
Racial Injustice
Double Jeopardy
Public Opinion
Politics in the Courtroom
Readings Crimes of the Century: Bruno Hauptmann & Alger Hiss
Video:
“Born Killers – Leopold & Loeb” (50 minutes)
WEEK 5 COURTROOM CASE STUDIES
Sept. 11 Cameras in the Courtroom
Civil Prosecution
DNA Evidence
Police Perjury
Readings Crimes of the Century: O.J. Simpson & Conclusion
Video:
“The O.J. Verdict” (58 minutes)
WEEK 6 THE COURTS STRUCTURE AND JURISDICTION
Sept. 18 State and Federal Courts
The Supreme Court
Readings Courtroom 302 Chapters 1-6
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WEEK 7 LOCAL COURT ISSUES
Sept. 25 Prosecutorial Issues & Ethics
Readings Courtroom 302 Chapters 7-13
WEEK 8 LOCAL COURT ISSUES
Oct. 2 Defense Issues & Ethics
Readings Courtroom 302 Chapters 14-19
*Midterm Assignments Due in Class
WEEK 9 THE CRIMINAL COURTS
Oct. 9 The Education of Lawyers and Judges
A Day in Juvenile Court
Justice Delayed
Readings Inside the Criminal Courts: Chapters 1-5
LA Times Articles – Rampart Scandal ( www.denvergov.org/oim - Reference
Library)
“Code of Silence – Inside the Rampart Scandal” (27 minutes)
Video:
WEEK 10 THE CRIMINAL COURTS
Oct. 16 The Judge
The Witness
The Steps of Due Process
The Plea Bargain
Readings Inside the Criminal Courts: Chapters 6-9
WEEK 11 THE CRIMINAL COURTS
Oct. 23 The Trial
Readings Inside the Criminal Courts: Chapters 10-11
WEEK 12 THE CRIMINAL COURTS
Oct. 30 Juries
Readings Inside the Criminal Courts: Chapter 12
Video:
“Inside the Jury”
WEEK 13 THE CRIMINAL COURTS
Nov. 6 Sentencing
Appeals
Death Penalty Issues
Readings Inside the Criminal Courts: Chapters 13-15
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WEEK 14 STATE AND FEDERAL TRIALS COMPARED
Nov. 13 The Rodney King Trials
Readings: Official Negligence: Chapters 2, 9, 10, 14-17 & 20
Video:
“What the Jury Saw in California v. Powell” (116 minutes)
WEEK 15 CASE PRESENTATIONS
Nov. 20
WEEK 16
Nov. 27 Thanksgiving Holiday
WEEK 16 CASE PRESENTATIONS
Dec. 4
FINALS WEEK (Dec. 8-13)
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