Advanced Evidence and Criminal Trial Practice

An immersive academic experience that seamlessly blends the development of practical trial practice lawyering skills with sophisticated rules evidence.

Advanced Evidence and Criminal Trial Practice will cover Federal and New York Rules of Evidence and the constitutional rules pertaining to the rights to confront and present a defense, in connection with a range of issues typically arising in criminal cases. Using simulations, common issues in Evidence Law arising in criminal cases will be explored. Topics will include litigation basics (proper questioning, impeachment, introducing evidence), as well as more complex topics focusing on witnesses (expert, character, right to confront), defenses (entrapment, duress, self-defense), and the trial (jury selection to jury instructions).

Advanced Evidence and Criminal Trial Practice is where substantive law is applied to practical trial skills. While learning to analyze sophisticated evidentiary issues, students will also be able to expand the basic trial skills acquired in Trial Practice. Weekly assignments will be designed to simulate work that would be performed in a prosecutor’s or defender’s office. They will include motions in limine and supporting memoranda, inter-office trial preparation memoranda, and trial court and advocacy.

• Students will enhance their trial advocacy skills through the doctrinal lens of evidence
• The course will use simulations to address both basic evidentiary issues as well as more complex facets of evidence.
• Students will participate in a variety of practical, substantive exercises that will develop critical lawyering skills that will seamlessly translate to practice.