Criminal Law & Procedure
Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure are required courses taken by full-time students in their first year and part-time students in their second year. Together with the required Evidence course, they are the foundation for a criminal law practice.
Beyond these basic courses, students interested in practicing criminal law may take more specialized courses addressing the constitutional and statutory framework for criminal prosecution, including Advanced Criminal Procedure, White Collar Crime, Death Penalty, and Wrongful Convictions Seminars.
Whether working as a prosecutor or as criminal defense attorneys, criminal law practitioners are likely to handle many trials. Students interested in this area should, therefore, take skills courses designed to provide both theoretical and practical training, including Trial Practice or the Intensive Advocacy Program. These may be complemented by courses focusing on other lawyering skills such as negotiation, mediation, and interpersonal dynamics. Additionally, there are opportunities for actual practice experience in the Criminal Law and Juvenile Justice Clinics, part-time clinical externship placements and through participation in the Keta Taylor Colby Death Penalty Project.