SMNR: Federal Criminal Prosecution & Defense, Advanced

Semester: Fall 2024
Course ID: 397S
Credit Hours: 3
Unique: 28945

Course Information

Course Type: Seminar
Grading Method: Pass/Fail Not Allowed

Registration Information

Upperclass-only elective

Meeting Times

Day	Time	Location
FRI	1:05 - 2:55 pm	TNH 3.125

Evaluation Method

Type	Date	Time	Location
Paper

Description

Co-taught by Matt Harding.

This is a one-semester, three-unit course which meets once a week for 100 minutes. We will take a 10-minute break after the first 50 minutes. This course is not restricted 3L students though there is some preference given; second-year law students are welcome. The casebook ("CB") is Abrams, Beale, & Klein, Federal Criminal Law and Its Enforcement (6th ed. 2015), and the 2018 Supplement. The supplement is free and will be posted on Canvas. There are two copies of the textbook on reserve at our library. A used copy of either is also acceptable. Please check Blackboard ("BB") every week for reading and writing assignments. There is no final exam for the course, your grade will be determined by the quality of your class participation and your six written and two oral projects. We will discuss all aspects of investigating, charging, trying, sentencing, and appealing federal criminal charges. We will take attendance, and we expect each of you to attend and to participate in every class discussion. If you plan to miss a class, you must clear it with one of the professors first. If you miss a class unexpectedly, please call or e-mail us as soon as possible. You must also complete all written and oral projects, on time. Each late assignment will be docked one-half a letter grade for each day, unless we approve the extended due date in advance. You will frequently do the pertinent reading and begin projects at home, and then we will devote some class time to working on the projects in groups and discussing the results. The topics and the schedule may be adjusted to accommodate student interest and speaker schedules.

Interns enrolled in the internship program at the United States Attorney's Office for the Western District of Texas or the Austin Federal Public Defender Service are encouraged to enroll in this seminar, and will be guaranteed admission if they request it.