Course Details

Description:

The educational goals of this clinic are knowledge, understanding of, and the ability to practice in a criminal justice system. This course involves the supervised prosecution of individuals charged with petty misdemeanors, misdemeanors, and gross misdemeanors in Ramsey and Hennepin County District Court. Prosecution students are supervised by prosecutors in several different jurisdictions in Hennepin and Ramsey District Court. Students handle cases at all stages of the criminal process, including arraignments, pretrial conferences and court trials.

The weekly two-hour class component of the clinic includes lectures, simulations and role playing. The lectures are on substantive and procedural aspects of criminal law, and on skills performance. The simulations and role playing involve the pre-trial and trial skills necessary to be an effective advocate in the criminal justice system. The students are also required to participate in one ride-along with a police department.