Spring 2013 Course Schedule

Adv Wrtng&Advoc: Crim Appellate Courts (LAW-795AW-001)
B. Miller

Meets: 10:00 AM - 11:50 AM (F) - Room 415

Enrolled: 10 / Limit: 14

Administrator Access


Notices

There are no notices at this time.

Description

This two-credit course is a research and writing course designed to teach students about the de novo criminal appellate system which is used in Maryland and other states. In this system, defendants charged with misdemeanors (and in some cases minor felonies) have the right to a trial in a lower court, and if they are convicted, a right to a second trial, sometimes before a jury, in a second court. In return, defendants lose their right to a direct appeal of their conviction to an appellate court. This system affects huge numbers of individuals in the criminal justice system, and has not been formally studied by criminal justice scholars and practitioners. We will study the system through the papers described below, as well as by visits during class time to the Maryland Court of Appeals, a court hearing with a de novo trial appeal, and the Maryland legislative library. In addition, students will have the opportunity to contribute to an appellate brief written by the professor in a current case addressing one feature of the Maryland de novo system. Students are required to write a 15-page paper focusing on the de novo system in one state, or a particular feature of the de novo system across several states. They will also be required to write a short contribution to the brief.

Textbooks and Other Materials

The textbook information on this page was provided by the instructor. Students should use this information when considering purchases from the AU Campus Store or other vendors. Students may check to determine if books are currently available for purchase online.

First Class Readings

Not available at this time.