Advanced Criminal Prosecution – Spring Break 2017 Intersession Course – Applications Due on Friday, November 4, 2016

As you begin thinking about your spring semester courses, please note that the Law School will again offer Advanced Criminal Prosecution as a one-credit intersession course over Spring Break week (March 6 – 10).  Like last year, the five-day immersion course will be offered in conjunction with the Tennessee District Attorney General’s Conference (TNDAG), which is held annually at the Law School.  Advanced Criminal Prosecution is intended to offer a select number of students (maximum of eight) interested in criminal trial advocacy intensive training in and exposure to prosecutorial litigation skills and strategy.

In a “master class” approach to learning, experienced prosecutors from across the state of Tennessee will present instruction on all aspects of criminal trial practice, including jury selection, pretrial motions, opening statements, direct and cross examinations, evidentiary objections, and closing argument.  Devoted sessions will focus on interviewing and preparing witnesses, selecting juries, case analysis, charging decisions, discovery, and prosecutorial ethics, and professionalism.  In those sections requiring student performance (of examinations, opening statement, and closing argument), students will receive critique, including individual reviews of student performances.

Title:                Advanced Criminal Prosecution

Credits:           1

Graded:           Pass/Fail (ungraded)

Prereqs:          Trial Advocacy, Professional Responsibility, Constitutional Law, Criminal Procedure, Evidence

Class Size:       No more than 8 students

Please contact Professor Danny Schaffzin with any questions about the Advanced Criminal Prosecution course.  If you have satisfied the above prerequisites, you may apply for a seat in the course by submitting a cover letter to Professor Schaffzin explaining why you want to enroll in the course, how your classwork and experience to this point speak to your interest in the course, criminal prosecution, and criminal practice generally, and how the course would benefit your learning experience and professional aspirations.  A resume should be submitted with the cover letter.  Please submit your application materials by Friday, November 4, 2016.  You will learn about whether you have been accepted to the course before the opening of spring registration.